Spain's Historic Legislation for Sahrawis

On September 10, 2026, Spanish lawmakers took a significant step by voting in favor of a bill that could potentially grant Spanish nationality to tens of thousands of Sahrawis born in the territory of Western Sahara during the period when Spain administered it. This legislation is particularly poignant given the current sensitive dynamics in relations between Morocco and Spain, as much of the territory is now under Moroccan control.

The bill, which must still be ratified by the Spanish Senate before becoming law, is estimated to affect approximately 80,000 individuals, a number that could rise to 200,000 when including descendants. The proposed legislation aims to extend Spanish citizenship to those born in the former colony before September 1977, when Spain withdrew its administration.

Historically, from 1975 onwards, Western Sahara has been a contentious area, with Morocco asserting control over it, despite international law recognizing it as a non-self-governing territory. This ongoing conflict has persisted for over five decades, with the Polisario Front, which advocates for Sahrawi independence, receiving support from Algeria. In a surprising move in 2022, however, Spain shifted its stance to support Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, essentially denying the Sahrawis their right to self-determination through a UN-proposed referendum.

Political Implications Amidst Migration Crisis

Spain's recent legislative initiative comes in the wake of a crisis in Ceuta, where a significant influx of migrants from Morocco has led to rising tensions. Reports from the Spanish police and judicial authorities suggest that this migration crisis may have been deliberately orchestrated by the Moroccan government. Given this backdrop, the move to confer nationality on Sahrawis has caused divisions in public opinion within Morocco, although there has been no official response from Moroccan authorities as of yet.

The implications of this legislation could be far-reaching, potentially altering the political landscape in the region and redefining Spain's relationship with both Morocco and the Sahrawi people. As Spain navigates this complex political terrain, the international community will be watching closely to see how these developments unfold.

As reported by rfi.fr.