Spain’s Congress has approved legislation creating a special pathway to Spanish citizenship for Sahrawis born in Western Sahara during Spanish rule, sparking renewed attention from Morocco over shifting bilateral dynamics.
The bill passed 168-31 with 145 abstentions and awaits Senate approval. It establishes citizenship avenues for those born in Western Sahara before September 29, 1977—the date Spain transferred administrative control—and extends shortened residency requirements for existing residents.
The legislation affects first-degree descendants and reduces the standard ten-year residency requirement to two years for eligible Sahrawis already living in Spain. Proponents frame it as rectifying historical injustices stemming from Spain’s colonial withdrawal from the territory in 1976.
Western Sahara remains disputed between Morocco, which claims sovereignty, and the Polisario Front seeking independence. While the measure doesn’t alter territorial status or recognize an independent state, Morocco views it as potentially reshaping Spain-Western Sahara community ties with implications for Rabat.
Estimates suggest 70,000 to 110,000 could qualify, including Sahrawis in Western Sahara and Tindouf refugee camps in Algeria. Beneficiaries would gain Spanish and EU citizenship while maintaining existing political identities.
The legislation follows Spain’s 2022 pivot toward supporting Morocco’s autonomy proposal, which repaired strained bilateral relations. Madrid argues the citizenship measure complements rather than contradicts its Western Sahara policy position.
Political divisions emerged domestically, with Socialist Party support opposed by conservative abstention and Vox rejection. The debate reflects broader discussions about addressing Spain’s colonial legacy in nationality law.
Critically, the measure raises questions about historical claims, particularly regarding Ceuta and Melilla—Spanish territories Morocco considers sovereign. Morocco could argue that if historical colonial connections justify citizenship provisions for Western Sahara Sahrawis, similar reasoning should apply to its territorial claims over the North African enclaves.
In territorial terms, the legislation doesn’t alter Western Sahara’s status or the UN-mediated political process. Its significance lies in how Spain’s colonial history intersects with evolving relationships with Morocco and communities with direct ties to the disputed territory.
