Spain's 2022 Shift on the Sahara
In March 2022 Spain — the former colonial ruler — publicly backed Morocco's autonomy plan as “the most serious, realistic and credible” basis for resolving the dispute, a historic shift.
The reversal
Madrid had long stayed neutral. The 2022 letter from Spain's prime minister to the King ended decades of ambiguity.
It repaired a major diplomatic crisis between the two neighbors.
The fallout
Algeria recalled its ambassador from Madrid in protest. But Spain held its position, and relations with Rabat warmed.
Spain's stance gave European cover for others to follow.
Frequently asked
What exactly did Spain say?
That Morocco's autonomy plan is the most serious and credible basis for a solution.
How did Algeria react?
It recalled its ambassador and suspended a friendship treaty.
See it on the map: explore the full territory of Morocco — coast to Sahara — on our interactive map of Morocco →