Spain faces criticism over diplomatic missteps with Morocco

Spain is under fire for a series of diplomatic blunders that risk reigniting tensions with Morocco, a key partner in North Africa. The latest controversy surrounds viral images of Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali posing with Spain’s second deputy prime minister and labor minister, Yolanda Díaz, during the inauguration of Uruguay’s new president.

Pro-Polisario activists and media affiliated with Algeria have further alleged that Spanish King Felipe VI greeted Ghali at the same event, a claim fueling speculation about Spain’s stance on the Sahara conflict.

A fragile relationship tested

The appearance of Brahim Ghali alongside Yolanda Díaz is unsurprising to many observers, given Díaz's history of critical remarks about Morocco. In April 2024, she referred to Morocco as a "dictatorship country" and has since maintained a hostile approach to Rabat. Díaz, now a prominent figure in Spain’s far-left coalition Sumar, has also vowed to annul recent agreements between Morocco and Spain if elected prime minister.

The allegations regarding King Felipe VI's meeting with Ghali have sparked mixed reactions. While some fear this could trigger another diplomatic crisis, others argue the event holds no political significance. Journalist and sociology professor Paulino Ros dismissed the claims, suggesting pro-Polisario activists are attempting to provoke tensions. “The people in these photos are in political decline and are using the Spanish king to stay relevant, but their efforts will fail,” Ros told Morocco World News.

Historical context of strained ties

The Sahara conflict remains a deeply sensitive issue for Morocco, which considers the region an integral part of its territory. Diplomatic relations between Rabat and Madrid soured in April 2021 when Spain allowed Brahim Ghali to enter the country under a false identity, ostensibly for medical treatment. Ghali, who faces allegations of war crimes and human rights abuses, traveled using the name "Mohammed Ben Battouch" to avoid legal repercussions.

The Spanish government's decision to host Ghali without consulting Morocco provoked outrage. Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Spain’s ambassador in Rabat, condemning the move as a violation of “the spirit of partnership and good neighborliness.” The incident led to a period of deteriorating relations, which began to improve only in March 2022 after Spain endorsed Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for Sahara as "the most serious and credible" solution to the dispute. This historic shift followed a visit by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to Morocco, where he met with King Mohammed VI.

Lingering tensions and recent missteps

Despite the 2022 agreement, the relationship between the two nations remains fragile. Spanish media have accused Morocco of imposing bureaucratic hurdles on customs operations, while Moroccan officials have pointed to Spain’s inconsistent messaging on the Sahara issue. In December 2024, Sánchez sparked further controversy by delivering a Christmas address in front of a map that excluded Morocco’s southern provinces. The omission directly contradicted Spain’s official support for Morocco’s territorial integrity, raising doubts about Madrid’s sincerity.

Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has sought to downplay such concerns, emphasizing the “utmost loyalty and reliability” of Spanish-Moroccan cooperation. However, these reassurances have done little to quell suspicions on either side.

What lies ahead?

As tensions simmer, it remains unclear whether the Spanish government will firmly reject the claims promoted by pro-Polisario activists or if the latest controversy will escalate into another diplomatic rift. For now, Spain’s handling of the Sahara dossier continues to be a litmus test for its relationship with Morocco, a partnership critical for trade, migration management, and regional security.