The kingdom regrets the decision of Spain and expresses its disappointment at an act contrary to the spirit of association and good neighborliness

Marruecos deplora la actitud de España al acoger a Ghali

photo_camera AFP/FADEL SENNA - King Mohammed VI

Brahim Ghali, general secretary of the Polisario Front, was admitted in serious condition with respiratory complications allegedly under a false identity at the San Pedro de Logroño hospital, after being transferred by ambulance from Zaragoza.

The Spanish Executive would have accepted the request of the Government of Algeria to welcome the Polisario leader, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arancha González Laya, for humanitarian reasons, which should not affect the excellent relations with Morocco, which is a privileged partner of Spain .

However, in a harsh statement, the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses great discomfort over the decision of the Spanish government to host the Polisario leader.

The full text of the statement is as follows:

For its part, Morocco regrets the attitude of Spain and expresses its disappointment at an act contrary to the spirit of partnership and good neighbourliness.

The Kingdom of Morocco deplores the attitude of Spain, which welcomes on its territory the so-called Brahim Ghali, leader of the separatist militias of the "Polisario", prosecuted for serious war crimes and serious violations of human rights.

The Kingdom of Morocco expresses its disappointment at this act, which is contrary to the spirit of partnership and good neighbourliness, and which touches on a fundamental issue for the Moroccan people and its vital forces.

Spain's attitude gives rise to great incomprehension and legitimate questions:

  • Why was the so-called Brahim Ghali admitted to Spain on the sly and with a false passport? 
  • Why did Spain consider it useful not to warn Morocco? 
  • Why did it choose to admit him under a false identity? 
  • Why has Spanish justice not yet reacted to the numerous complaints lodged by the victims?

The Spanish Ambassador in Rabat was therefore summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad to inform him of this position and to demand the necessary explanations about the attitude of his government.

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