Mohamed Salem Ould Salek, “Minister of Foreign Affairs” of the “Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)” reacted to the diplomatic crisis between Morocco and Spain. He asserts that the kingdom “wanted” Spain and the European Union to recognize, as the United States, its sovereignty over the Sahara
“Morocco wanted Spain and the European Union to follow Donald Trump’s declaration (American recognition of the Moroccan character of the Sahara, editor’s note) and who wants to legalize the Moroccan fait accompli. The EU has not followed this violation of international law”, he said in an interview with RTBF. According to him, to achieve this goal, the kingdom took advantage of the emergency admission of the Polisario boss to a hospital in Logroño, not far from Zaragoza, under the assumed name of Mohamed Ben Battouche, of Algerian nationality, to put pressure on the Iberian Peninsula.
Pressure increased following the massive arrival of migrants in Sebta and Melilla in mid-May. “It is a policy of permanent blackmail against Europe. European countries wanted to come to terms with Morocco against all odds. This complicity with Morocco encouraged it to cross the red lines, including using its own civilian population, including children, to blackmail Spain and Europe. This is unacceptable”, denounces Mohamed Salem Ould Salek, calling on the EU to assume its responsibilities on the one hand and Morocco to respect the borders of its neighbors and stabilize relations with its neighborhood on the other.
The boss of “Sahrawi diplomacy” also accuses Morocco of “questioning security not only in the Maghreb region but also in Europe.”
