Enaire, the public Spanish air navigation authority, recently ignited controversy by publishing a map of Morocco that included the disputed Western Sahara territory as part of Morocco.
Enaire defended its decision, stating that the map originated from a trusted source in the aviation sector, the American company ESRI’s cartographic database. The company emphasized that the map served a purely technical purpose and did not intend to make any political statements.
However, El Independiente reported that Enaire did not clarify whether they would add a disclaimer to the map to acknowledge the ongoing dispute over Western Sahara’s status.
This move angered pro-Polisario media outlets, activists, and individuals who advocate for Western Sahara’s secession.
Abdulah Arabi, the Representative of the Polisario Front in Spain, has strongly condemned Enaire’s decision. He said that using a map depicting Western Sahara as part of Morocco allegedly “violates international law, which recognizes Western Sahara as a distinct and separate territory.”
Arabi said that Enaire, as a public entity, cannot absolve itself of responsibility by attributing the map to a third party. He insists that Enaire has a duty to ensure its actions comply with international regulations.
Spain and Morocco have been engaged in discussions for decades concerning the fate of the airspace above Western Sahara. These talks appear to be nearing a conclusion, with the potential for Morocco assuming control.
Recent reports suggest discreet negotiations between the two countries through a dedicated working group. This group has established a technical commission to iron out the specifics of collaboration and security measures related to airspace management. The commission has reportedly convened twice so far.
Morocco requires that Spain cease managing airspace over the Sahara, currently administered from the Canary Islands as one of the conditions Morocco for reopening the customs in Ceuta and Melilla.
Negotiations over the airspace control of Western Sahara showcase a clear shift in Spanish diplomatic stance. Just in 2022, Spain firmly rejected Morocco’s initial attempt to open this discussion. This turnaround demonstartes the effectiveness of Morocco’s diplomatic efforts in pressuring Spain to the negotiating table.
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