By Miranda Ewald, MA Global Communications ‘22
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez meets with Moroccan King Mohammed VI, Moncloa (REUTERS)
Spain and Morocco’s Shifting Relationship
Until recently, tensions between Spain and Morocco had been building for decades, particularly over Spain’s lack of recognition for Morocco’s autonomy in the Western Sahara. Spain and Morocco, along with Mauritania, signed a tripartite agreement in 1975 that aimed at stabilizing relations in the Western Sahara region. However, Spain had not formalized or honored its political and diplomatic ties to Morocco. In 2021 Spain welcomed nationalist movement leader seeking independence from Morocco, Brahim Ghali, into its country despite him also being wanted in Spain for crimes against humanity. In retaliation, Morocco then opened its border in May 2021 to Ceuta, a Spanish autonomous city in Morocco, leading to many trying to illegally enter the city and chaos erupting.
Despite the historical tension and recent challenges between the two countries, as of this month, Spain has decided to realign its relationship with Morocco. On March 18 of this year, Spain announced through its foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, that it considers Morocco’s proposal regarding the Western Sahara to be “the most serious, realistic, and credible” plan to de-escalating tensions in the region. The plan involves giving Morocco limited autonomy in the Western Sahara, a region it annexed in 1975, which is inhabited largely by the Polisario Front independence movement. Spain’s backing of the proposal symbolizes a turning point in its foreign affairs with Morocco.
Spain’s Evolving Identity
Spain’s strategic messaging of its newly defined stance with Morocco highlights how Spain is attempting to develop the narrative that it is a cooperative democracy and international partner. Since the end of General Franco’s dictatorship in Spain, the country has worked diligently to democratize and become part of the international system. This however conflicts with Spain’s imperialistic history with Morocco, and until recently, apathetic nature towards mending lingering tensions. In order for Spain to shed its dictatorial and imperialistic ways and prove its relevance as a democratic actor, it needed to readjust its relationship with Morocco. For example, when Spain invited Brahim Ghali into its country, Morocco began portraying Spain as indifferent to crimes against humanity. Spain could not let Morocco continue to capitalize on the meeting with Ghali to maintain its reputation as a democratized state. Moreover, for Spain to appear as a collaborative foreign power, it could not continue to ignore its diplomatic agreements with Morocco in the Western Saharan. Amends needed to be made with Morocco to prevent anything from undermining Spain’s legitimacy and relationships in the international system
Spain made the announcement of the backing of Morocco’s proposal through its highest foreign affairs official to validate its stance further. Albares emphasized the commitment even further by stating that Spain is looking to strengthen cooperation particularly regarding migration in the Western Sahara. Spain’s alignment with Morocco though symbolizes much more than this. In the spring of 2021, Morocco organized mass migration through Ceuta, a Spanish city on the border of the two countries. The weaponsing of migration outraged Spain, but also the EU, which has established that it desires maintaining a strong relationship with Morocco. For Spain, it is important to appear as a cooperative and loyal state, something it was not under General Franco. Therefore, to project this narrative, Spain needed to begin appearing active in working towards resolution in the Western Sahara.
Implications for Spain’s Repositioning
Spain’s new positioning will have, and has had, many potential implications for the state. Thus far, Spain’s new positioning has led Morocco to reinstate its ambassador to Spain, which it had previously recalled. This, in addition to other comments made by Morocco, portrays that Morocco is pleased with Spain’s new alignment and is open to working with the state. The EU has also established that it welcomes Spain’s change in stance with Morocco. While Spain has strengthened some of its relationships through this decision, it has also had some negative implications as well. For example, since the Polisario Front is backed by Algeria, Algeria removed its ambassador to Spain because of its decision. Besides this damaging foreign relations between Spain and Algeria, it could also have economic consequences for Spain. Algeria supplies gas to Spain, and given the crisis in Ukraine, Algeria’s supply has become ever more important. Spain could risk increasing gas prices even further if relations are damaged even more with Algeria.
Polisario demonstrators protest against Spain’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan in Madrid, (AFP).
Going forward, Spain’s relations with other states will shift as well. Some states support Morocco’s proposal and will embrace Spain’s new positioning, such as the US. However, there are other states and international organizations that believe a referendum should occur in the region to decide who is in control. To illustrate its identity as a collaborative and credible democracy, Spain should continue its use of elite officials as spokespeople, remain loyal to and supportive of allies and be proactive in discourse around international issues.
For more on the topic by the author, please click here.
The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author. They do not express the views of the Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication or the George Washington University.
This was a great piece highlighting how the narrative of imperialism still influences public diplomacy in a major way. I was not aware that there was an ongoing dispute between Spain and Morocco, and you did an excellent job of analyzing the current situation and how it came to be. I think you’re spot on with who the storytellers should be going forward. Given the relationship and the level at which this situation has taken place, using elite officials gives weight to the frames and messaging. I also appreciated that you highlighted that while strengthening the relationship between Spain and Morocco is happening, there is a downside to it and that is the shift in relationship with Algeria.
I’m curious to know, are there counties that Spain has good relationships with that could be used to emphasize its role as a democratic actor? Maybe some that it had a similar sort of apathetic nature towards mending its relationship with but then followed through on repairing that relationship. That outside validator can be helpful in giving weight to the messaging of the country that is seeking to repair relationships. It might be possible that if there are validators out there that could be used, they could be used to support trying to stave off a deteriorating relationship with Algeria.
This is an interesting piece, Miranda! The tough position of Spain on Morocco as you noted is rooted in a clash of master narratives between Spain and Morocco with Spain’s failure to honor its political and diplomatic ties with Morocco. What could Morocco have done better? Because it seems as if Spain’s alignment as an European nation is a thing. The reasons adduced by Spain for its tough position on Morocco interestly can be discerned from its strategic messaging and its position through its narrative that it is a cooperative democracy and international partner.
The ongoing narrative contestation between both Spain and Morocco should be resolved based on their shared identity narratives as nations sharing national borders and history. I am also in agreement with your recommendation to Spain, which is, in order not to portray itself as a dictator and credible democracy, it should continue the part of diplomatic relations, the type that saw the reinstatement of diplomatic ties with Morocco.
Hi Miranda – I think you did a great job of highlighting both the historical context of this new plan for the Western Saraha, as well as describing the implications of this deal for Spain’s narrative choices in regards to its relationship with Morocco. I liked how you both explained Spain’s narrative shift to a focus on democracy and international cooperation and expressed the resulting physical changes such as reinstating the Moroccan ambassador to Spain.
I would be interested to learn more about if and how these diplomatic shifts have affected the Spanish people’s perceptions of Moroccan leadership and citizens – and if these ties are more ideological or identity/emotion-based. I think this will be an important piece in the broader public diplomacy strategy for Spain’s elected officials should they continue to support Morocco’s proposed moves.
Miranda – great job articulating Spain’s European state narrative. I especially like how you discussed the narratives that Spain is trying to develop, not the existing narratives that they tap into to further their goals. Your advice to Spain on executing this policy change was insightful and strong. Though I was unaware of the conflict before you wrote about it, I am impressed with your recommendations and I agree with your conclusions. I am curious if you are going to discuss countries with similar diplomatic relations in your paper in an opportunity to compare and contrast strategies.
Hi Miranda, I appreciate how you depicted both sides of the conflict, highlighting Spain’s actions with Brahim Ghali as well as Morocco’s related opening the borders to Ceuta (which may even raise larger questions about Ceuta itself). The article highlights the lengths to which Spain has gone to convert from a former dictatorship to a full democracy. Your article also highlights additional issues facing Spain concerning its relationship with Algeria which links to issues of security. It seems it must choose between its image and economic stability given Algeria’s supply of gas in light of the war in Ukraine. Besides this, how are some other ways Spain is building relationships with Morocco, especially as immigration continues to increase in Spain? I wonder how that may play out in larger narratives regarding the identity Spain wishes to cultivate.
Miranda — I was unaware of the historical tensions between Spain and Morocco, and you did a really nice job summarizing the most important points to contextualize contemporary diplomacy issues. Spain’s shift in policy messaging evidences their desire to shed their imperialist past and live up to their promise to further engage on an international scale, pleasing the EU. I agree with your recommendations to Spain regarding diplomatic advice for future engagements.