For Morocco, Spain is a success story, No doubt about it. As recent as 1975, Spain was ruled by a Fascist dictator who governed with an iron fist. One of the poorest countries in Europe, Spaniard lived in dire conditions. With hard work and considerable help from West European countries, Spain became an economic power house in Europe. On the political front, Madrid hit some rough weather in its march toward democracy at first, but it was a smooth sailing thereafter. In short, Spain is a young democracy that still has a long way to go before becoming well established and in a position to pass judgment on other governments... So, it is surprising to hear some Spanish politicians lecturing Morocco about democracy and human rights when the people of Ceuta and Melilla still live under Spain’s occupation. More uncanny is Spain’s political establishment’s obsession with Morocco’s Royal family, the Western Sahara conflict and narrowly selective cases of rights abuses. From the extreme right to the never dying and outdated left, several political parties and non-governmental organizations of different political inclinations hold a grudge against the Kingdom. In some cases this rancor turns into hatred as it had and continues to be demonstrated by the publication of several anti-Moroccan articles in major Spanish press organs such as “El Pais” and “El Mundo”. Several of these recently published articles were an outright anti-Morocco propaganda material befitting of the Franco regime. While the Moroccan press treats the Spanish royal family with respect and dignity and refers to the Spanish government by the name of its Prime Minister, the Spanish press belittles the nascent Moroccan democracy whenever given a chance. This colonial mentality is an indication of an immature democracy. The continued presence of Spain on Moroccan soil through the occupation of the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla remains to be a throng in the side of the Moroccan-Spanish relations. In fact, whenever the discussions over these colonies arise, Spain shows Morocco a face different than the one it shows the rest of world. Madrid turns from a European democracy anchored in the 21st century to a medieval inquisition fiefdom. Ironically, Spain faces the same dilemma whenever it asks for the return of Gibraltar from England. As a matter of fact, Spain was “annoyed” by the 2009 England’s Princess Ann’s visit of Gibraltar. While the Spanish authorities and political parties complained officially about the British Royal’s visit to Gibraltar calling it “inopportune”, they dismissed similar protests from Morocco over the 2008 Spanish Royal visit to Ceuta and Melilla. Spain’s double standers on this issue are infuriating and representative of its imperial approach toward the people of Morocco. It is not for the eyes of the Sahrawis that various Spanish associations and politicians have endorsed the cause of an independent Western Sahara. It is rather a longing for Spain’s past imperialist era, and part of a conspiracy to maintain the occupation of Ceuta and Melilla. Beside the pre-historic dinosaurs of the extreme left parties that openly support the separatist Polisario movement, Spanish mainstream politicians have been giving tactical support to the Algerian position prolonging the Western Sahara conflict and keeping Morocco stuck in this quagmire. Algeria intransigence in resolving outstanding issues with Rabat reinforces the Spanish policy of occupation. Obviously Morocco is not above reproaches. Actually, some of the charges leveled against Rabat in the Spanish press are true. However, the negative none, tenacity, overzealousness and the discriminate manner in which Morocco is regarded in the Spanish media and in some corners in the Spaniard political establishment give a pose to the real reason for this treatment. Is it a true caring for the well being of Morocco? Or is the neocolonialism still alive in the midst of the young Spanish democracy? While we await the answer, Moroccans should keep their legitimate claim over the two enclaves alive and present whenever possible. Incidentally, in his next visit to Morocco, Mr. José Montilla Aguilera, the current president of the “Autonomous” region of Cataluña, should be treated as a head of state with all of protocols bells and whistles!//en.yabiladi.com/topics/http-moroccoboard-viewpoint-hassan-massiki-44-3037386-3037386.html#msg-3037386 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 06:25:02 +0200 Phorum 5.2.15