Western Sahara: Spain outraged over expulsion of diplomats
Outrage has been echoed across Spain over the expulsion of its diplomats by Morocco from Western Sahara in late January.
The three diplomats who are all Basque parliamentarians, were expected to meet with pro-independence activists in the region. However they were stopped from exiting their plane in the city of El Aaiun before being sent back to Spain, as reported by Maghrebi.
The expulsion of the diplomats comes alongside fears that the Moroccan government is actively trying to prevent any outside influence in the region.
According to AL24News on February 5, Morocco has already expelled more than 300 people from 21 countries. This includes, parliamentarians, human rights activists and journalists. All have been forcibly kicked out of the Western Sahara region against their will.
The treatment of the diplomats has strained relations between then Spanish government and Morocco. Additional parties like Sumar and IU have publicly called on the government to demand an explanation from Morocco.
Reacting to the treatment IU stated that Morocco’s actions were “more than sufficient reason” for greater inquiry. The party also highlighted multiple other instances of Spanish diplomats being refused entry into Western Sahara.
The dispute with Spain is one of many that Morocco is currently having over Western Sahara, a region with a strong separatist movement and a desire for independence from Morocco.
AL24News, Maghrebi
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