Polisario opposes the transfer of Sahara airspace to Morocco

Abdullah Arabi, representative of the Polisario Front in Spain, described the Spanish decision as “illegal.” Al-Arabi said in a press statement, “Spain has no control over this airspace and therefore cannot dispose of it.” He reiterated his call on Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to withdraw his support for Morocco's autonomy plan and “adhere to international law.”

Read also: Spain transfers management of Sahara airspace to Morocco

Spain has managed Sahara airspace from the Canary Islands for decades through ENAIRE, a state-owned company under the Ministry of Transport. This is according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which is responsible for air traffic control in that area.

The Spanish decision follows the recent visit of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to Morocco, where he spoke with King Mohammed VI on February 21, 2024. The two sides have established a working group to address this issue, according to the joint statement issued on April 7, 2022. A meeting has already been held Two meetings.

Sources at the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to the Spanish newspaper that Spain and Morocco have formed a “technical committee to discuss the details of technical and security cooperation in the field of airspace management” in the Sahara. Okay Diario.

Read also: Sahara airspace management: Spain says no to Morocco

Airspace management will be transferred in exchange for the opening of customs offices in Ceuta and Melilla. In June 2023, the Spanish government informed Morocco of the suspension of the transfer of airspace management. The Spanish government agreed to hold negotiations with Rabat on this issue to achieve greater security in the field of communications and technical cooperation. The suspension was justified by the end of the legislative session and the beginning of the election period in Spain.