Spain's lower house has approved a bill to grant citizenship to Western Saharans born before 1977, a move framed as restorative justice for colonial-era residents.
The Spanish lower house of Parliament has taken a significant step toward addressing a long-standing historical grievance s. The legislation, which passed with 168 votes in favor, 31 against, and 145 abstentions, seeks to recognize individuals born in the territory during the period when it was under Spanish administration. to naturalization not only for the original residents but also for their descendants, regardless of their current country of residence.
Proponents of the measure, including members of the ruling Socialist Party and the left-wing Sumar coalition, have framed the move as an act of restorative justice. Tesh Sidi, a member of the Sumar coalition and the first parliamentarian of Sahrawi heritage, argued that the policy essentially returns a lost identity to those who held Spanish national documents during the colonial era. Supporters believe that this legislative action corrects a historical oversight that left many Sahrawis without a clear path to nationality after Spain withdrew from the region.
While the exact number of individuals eligible for this new citizenship status remains difficult to calculate precisely, estimates from Sahrawi advocacy groups suggest that between 70,000 and 120,000 people could be affected. This broad demographic includes individuals living in refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria, those scattered across the diaspora, and others residing within the territory of Western Sahara itself. The bill serves as a formal acknowledgment of the historical link between these people and the Spanish state.
Before the legislation can be enacted, it must undergo further scrutiny in the Spanish Senate. Lawmakers expect that the bill will face potential amendments during the upper house's review process. Once the Senate completes its deliberations, the draft will return to the lower house for a final vote. If successful, the law will provide a legal framework for thousands of people to claim Spanish nationality, effectively granting them access to the rights and protections associated with being a citizen of a European Union member state.
The decision to move forward with this citizenship proposal occurs against the backdrop of highly sensitive diplomatic relations between Madrid and Rabat. The status of Western Sahara remains a deeply contested issue, with Morocco claiming sovereignty over the territory following the end of Spanish rule in 1975. Meanwhile, the Polisario Front, supported rab Democratic Republic. This ongoing power struggle has historically complicated Spain's diplomatic balancing act.
Recent tensions regarding migration, particularly regarding the North African territories of Ceuta and Melilla, have added further pressure to the relationship between Spain and Morocco. Despite these external pressures, the reaction from Moroccan officials has been notably measured. Some representatives have indicated that the government in Rabat does not view the granting of citizenship to Sahrawis as an inherently problematic issue, noting that some individuals have already successfully acquired Spanish nationality through other administrative channels in recent years.
Western Sahara was formally under Spanish administration until 1975, when the colonial authority was relinquished following agreements with Morocco and Mauritania. This transition period led to a power vacuum and the subsequent conflict that persists today. For many Sahrawis, the loss of their administrative connection to Spain represented a sudden change in their legal status and their ability to travel or work internationally. The current legislative initiative seeks to bridge the gap created
As the bill moves toward the Senate, the debate highlights the internal political divisions within Spain. While the ruling coalition views the bill as a moral imperative, opposition parties have shown varied reactions, ranging from abstention to outright opposition. Despite these internal political hurdles, the advancement of this bill represents a rare moment of legislative focus on the long-term consequences of Spain's colonial history in North Africa, aiming to provide a measure of stability and legal recognition for the Sahrawi people.