Karima Benyaich, Morocco's ambassador to Spain, stated on Thursday that remarks made by the Spanish foreign minister undermine the territorial integrity of the kingdom, noting that "Morocco has taken note of this and will act accordingly." This marks an escalation in a dispute that has raised a migration crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa. Last week, Morocco recalled ambassador Benyaich from Madrid for consultations in response to Spain's decision to host Ibrahim Ghali, leader of the Polisario Front, for treatment without informing Rabat.
Morocco has seemingly relaxed its border controls with the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, resulting in thousands of migrants crossing in what is viewed as a response to Spain welcoming Ghali. Morocco regards Western Sahara as part of its territory, while the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, seeks to declare it an independent state. Spain was the colonial power in the region until 1975.
Benyaich did not specify the comments made by Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya that angered Morocco. However, a diplomatic source in Rabat referred to an interview in the newspaper La Razón last week. The official agency quoted Benyaich stating that the Spanish foreign minister recently made statements to the press and parliament in which she "continued to present false facts and issuing inappropriate comments."
Laya was quoted in an interview stating that Ghali’s arrival in Spain was not a secret but rather "handled with discretion," adding that the decision was for Spain to make. Ghali's attorney reported that he is being treated in a hospital in Logroño, in the La Rioja region, and is set to appear before the Supreme Court via remote session next Tuesday from the hospital.
