Western Sahara’s Polisario Front suspends contact with Spain

MADRID (Reuters) – The Polisario Entrance, Western Sahara’s independence motion, on Sunday mentioned it was severing ties with Spain after Madrid backed Morocco’s plan giving autonomy to the previous Spanish colony.

Spain has supported the autonomy plan as a strategy to resolve a long-running dispute over Western Sahara, which Morocco considers as its personal territory.

However the Polisario, backed by Algeria, has rejected the autonomy proposal and desires an independence referendum.

The Polisario mentioned the plan aimed to legitimise the annexation of Western Sahara “ignoring the inalienable rights of the Saharawi individuals to self-determination and independence.”

Final month, Spain advised Morocco it thought of the autonomy proposal for Western Sahara was “severe, credible and reasonable.”

Spain’s backing for Morocco’s plan has helped to finish a year-long diplomatic disaster between the 2 international locations.

Moroccan-Spanish ties had soured when Spain admitted Polisario chief Brahim Ghali in April final 12 months for medical therapy, with out formally telling Rabat.

Madrid’s coverage shift in favour of Morocco’s plan was criticised by lawmakers in Spain.

(Reporting by Jessica Jones. Modifying by Jane Merriman)