Spanish Lawmakers Approve Sahrawi Citizenship Bill

Spanish lawmakers voted on Thursday to pass legislation offering citizenship to individuals born in Western Sahara under Spanish colonial rule. The legal change establishes a pathway for qualifying Sahrawis and their descendants to obtain Spanish nationality.

Under the terms of the bill, Spanish nationality will be granted to Sahrawis born prior to September 29, 1977. Their descendants will also be permitted to acquire citizenship through a naturalization process. Estimates suggest between 70,000 and more than 100,000 individuals could qualify for citizenship under the new rules.

Political Support and Opposition

The legislation received approval with the backing of Spain’s ruling Socialist Party and its left-wing coalition partner, Sumar. The conservative People’s Party abstained during the vote, while the far-right Vox party voted against the measure.

Sumar lawmaker Tesh Sidi, the first woman of Sahrawi origin elected to the Spanish parliament, advocated for the legislation during debates. Sidi stated that the law restores the “Spanish national identity card to those Sahrawis who once held” it prior to having their status removed by the state.

Territorial Dispute and Diplomacy

Spain maintained colonial control over Western Sahara until 1976. Following the Spanish withdrawal, Morocco claimed sovereignty over the territory and currently controls the majority of the region. The indigenous resistance movement, known as the Polisario Front, continues to campaign for complete independence for Western Sahara.

Because of the long-standing dispute, tens of thousands of displaced Sahrawis reside in refugee camps located near Tindouf, an Algerian town across the border where the Polisario Front operates. The United Nations continues to designate Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory.

Broader Strains on Bilateral Relations

The decision by Spanish lawmakers arrives during a delicate period for relations between Madrid and Rabat. Diplomatic ties were further complicated by a border crisis in July in Ceuta, a Spanish enclave located on the North African coast, where a large number of migrants attempted to enter European Union territory.

Multiple migrants died during the crossing attempt, primarily by drowning. Although a significant portion of those who entered Ceuta have since returned, thousands remain in the enclave, including numerous unaccompanied minors living in harsh conditions. The incident also generated friction among EU member states regarding border enforcement and migration policies.

Background

Western Sahara’s political status has remained unresolved since Spain withdrew from the territory in 1976 without administering a referendum on self-determination. The ongoing control of the area by Morocco and the presence of refugee camps in neighboring Algeria continue to shape diplomatic relations across the Mediterranean.