Morocco warned Spain today, Saturday, against "underestimating the serious repercussions" of the current crisis between the two countries, following the hosting of Polisario leader Ibrahim Ghali in a hospital in Logroño, Spain. This statement was issued by the Moroccan foreign ministry on Friday evening.
The statement noted that "the position of some officials in the (Spanish) government judging Morocco's reaction and downplaying the severe consequences on relations cannot hide this unfortunate situation," referring to Ghali being admitted on April 18 to a hospital 300 kilometers from Madrid after contracting COVID-19.
Morocco expressed being "dismayed" by the decision of the Spanish authorities to "not inform their counterparts" in the Arab country about Ghali's reception, describing Spain's position as "deliberate, voluntary, and sovereign," and warned that Madrid "bears all the consequences" of that.
Rabat explained that since Ghali's arrival, "the Spaniards have multiplied their statements to justify this grave act contrary to the spirit of partnership and good neighborliness."
The Moroccan foreign ministry's statement emphasized that the justifications provided by Madrid for hosting Ghali on humanitarian grounds "do not justify the maneuvers orchestrated behind the back of a partner and neighbor."
