The Spanish government sidesteps questions surrounding the death of Lahbib Abdelaziz

The Spanish government has refrained from commenting on the circumstances surrounding the death of Lahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, which occurred on Sunday in the area east of the Sand Wall. Asked about the matter, government spokesperson Elma Saiz struck a notably cautious tone. «We have not yet received any official information on this subject. Caution is required in all cases», she said.

She went on to reaffirm Spain’s «support» for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, noting that he «visited the territory».

The day before, the daily El Mundo reported that Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, had instructed his staff not to comment on the death of Lahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, who was killed in a strike the Polisario attributes to a drone operated by the Royal Armed Forces (FAR).

«The relevant departments were ready to provide background information and set out Spain’s position, but the instruction was to remain silent», a Spanish diplomatic source told El Mundo on condition of anonymity.

Despite pressure from its allies, Podemos and Sumar, Pedro Sánchez’s government prefers to sidestep the issue. It is a stance consistent with the line the Spanish executive has taken on the Western Sahara file since 2020.