Spain’s Sahrawi citizenship bill revives debate over colonial legacy and Morocco ties

A vote in Spain’s Congress of Deputies on a bill that would ease access to Spanish citizenship for certain Sahrawis has reignited political and legal debate over Spain’s former administration of the territory and its relationship with Morocco.

The bill passed a key stage in Congress with 168 lawmakers voting in favor, 31 against and 147 abstaining. It draws on Spain’s historical ties to the territory and would establish a pathway to Spanish citizenship for eligible Sahrawis born there during the period of Spanish administration, subject to specific conditions. Some provisions would also extend to their descendants.

The vote has renewed questions over the legal consequences of Spain’s colonial legacy and the extent to which historical ties should influence current citizenship policy.

It has also exposed political divisions within Spain. The Socialist Party, which had previously opposed the initiative during the legislative process, ultimately supported it. The conservative People’s Party abstained, while Vox voted against the bill.

The split reflects broader disagreements within Spanish politics over the Moroccan Sahara, Spain’s historical role in the territory and the country’s approach to Morocco.

The vote also came as Morocco’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement criticizing positions taken by some Spanish political and media figures while reaffirming Rabat’s commitment to good-neighborly relations and its strategic partnership with Madrid.

Morocco and Spain have strengthened their cooperation in recent years in areas including trade, security and migration. The citizenship bill, however, has raised questions over whether issues linked to Spain’s colonial past will remain primarily matters of individual rights and legal status or become more prominent in domestic political debate.

Political divisions in Spain

Moroccan military expert and former Polisario member Al Arbi Nass said the initiative had been under discussion for several years, initially associated with Podemos during the previous government and later promoted by Sumar.

Nass argued that its legislative trajectory has been shaped largely by Spain’s domestic political dynamics rather than by recent developments surrounding the Moroccan Sahara.

He said the Socialists had initially considered the potential repercussions for Morocco but later faced pressure from Sumar, whose support was important to maintaining the governing majority.

According to Nass, those competing political considerations contributed to delays in advancing the legislation.

He also pointed to the People’s Party’s decision to abstain as another indication of the changing political calculations surrounding the bill, noting that the party had previously supported the initiative.

Nass said the PP also sought to introduce amendments during proceedings in the Justice Committee, underscoring the broader political contest surrounding the legislation.

The bill must still complete additional legislative stages before it can take effect. Although the Congress of Deputies has approved the initiative at a key stage, the Senate will also play a role in the remaining process.

Morocco’s response

Nass described Morocco’s response to the developments as balanced, while arguing that Rabat’s position came relatively late.

He said Morocco’s Foreign Ministry had referred to Spanish legislative initiatives that could affect bilateral relations, while also noting that Morocco permits dual citizenship.

Nass argued that acquiring Spanish citizenship does not necessarily imply support for a particular political position or separatist project. Sahrawis, like other Moroccans, could potentially seek Spanish citizenship for practical reasons, including access to residency, employment or other opportunities, he said.

He also argued that Spain’s citizenship legislation includes provisions addressing historical ties involving people from former Spanish territories and said Sahrawis should not automatically be associated with separatism because of their potential eligibility for Spanish citizenship.

Potential impact on Tindouf camps

Salek Rahal, spokesperson for the Sahrawis for Peace Movement, described the initiative as part of Spain’s broader approach to historical memory and citizenship rights involving people with ties to former Spanish territories.

Rahal argued that the legislation could provide eligible Sahrawis living in the Tindouf camps in Algeria with another potential legal avenue to establish ties with Spain and leave the camps.

He alleged that the Polisario Front controls movement in the camps through documentation and travel arrangements, particularly for those seeking to travel to Spain, and argued that access to Spanish citizenship could affect those dynamics.

Rahal further claimed that the measure could have implications for the Polisario Front by potentially providing greater clarity about the backgrounds and origins of people living in the camps.

The bill’s passage at this stage therefore extends the debate beyond citizenship rights, touching on Spain’s colonial legacy, domestic political divisions and the broader dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.