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The Spanish government has clarified its position on the Sahara issue for the military. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a note outlining the guidelines to be followed by all army personnel regarding this matter, reports local media.
«Spain's position on Western Sahara is perfectly well known and in line with the United Nations framework and international legality. As emphasized by the President of the Government at the United Nations General Assembly on September 25, 2024, Spain is in favor of a mutually acceptable political solution, within the framework of the United Nations Charter and Security Council resolutions», states the document from the department headed by José Manuel Albares.
«The work of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) and the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy is fundamental in this regard and enjoys the full support of the Spanish government. Likewise, we will continue to support the Saharawi population in the camps, as we have always done, maintaining our status as the main international donor of humanitarian aid in this context», adds the ministry.
The document instructs military personnel to exercise caution when discussing the Sahara issue in public forums. «If this question arises in any forum, whatever its nature, the Spanish military will avoid expressing an opinion on the subject. If they are asked, for reasons of protocol, to give an answer, it will be as follows: 'In the domain of the Ministry of Defense, there is no specific position in relation to this question'». The note further advises referring interested parties to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Spanish military personnel are encouraged to «inform themselves of the official position mentioned» in the note issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On March 14, 2022, in a letter addressed to King Mohammed VI, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced his support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara.
