Under a strong spotlight of political and diplomatic trust, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita stated that Moroccan-Spanish relations are going through “their best phase ever.” This statement is not merely praise of a new political reality, but also an indication of broader strategic shifts impacting regional and even European balances.
MFA Nasser Bourita held talks, today in Madrid, with his Spanish counterpart, Mr. @jmalbares, who indicated that Spain reaffirms that the autonomy initiative is “the most serious, realistic and credible basis for the resolution” of the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara pic.twitter.com/Wlt8aw16is
— Moroccan Diplomacy 🇲🇦 (@Marocdiplo_EN) April 17, 2025
But are all parties really happy with this phase? And is there no cost to this “advanced alliance”?
From the 2021 Break to the 2024 Alliance: What Changed?
Since the April 2022 meeting between King Mohammed VI and Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez, Moroccan-Spanish relations have taken an unprecedented strategic turn.
After a serious diplomatic crisis due to Spain’s hosting of the Polisario leader under a false identity, the two countries have moved into a phase of intense cooperation—security, economic, and political.
But the key question is:
Was this transformation a product of mutual political conviction or a geopolitical necessity driven by shifting global realities?
Multi-dimensional Partnership or Mutual Dependency?
According to Bourita, over 210 illegal migration networks were dismantled in a single year, in addition to joint security operations praised as a regional and international model.
Also, Spain has become Morocco’s top economic partner, and vice versa outside the EU.
But is it fair to ask:
Do these figures truly reflect a balanced partnership? Or is there growing dependency from one side?
How does Morocco manage this proximity while maintaining strategic relations with Paris and Berlin?
And will Spain continue on this path if its government changes?
Western Sahara: Spanish Support or European Realignment?
Bourita emphasized Morocco’s autonomy plan as the “only serious and credible basis for a solution,” asserting that Spain’s support is not a breach of international consensus, but a reflection of a new global trend.
Still, the question remains:
Has Spain really shifted its position, or is it merely adjusting to avoid new crises?
The uncertainty in Germany’s stance, and France’s current coldness raise questions: Are we witnessing a deep EU policy shift—or internal dissonance?
Who Are the Unhappy Ones?
Bourita hinted that “not everyone is happy with the level reached.” This opens multiple interpretations:
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Is Algeria the most visibly upset, seeing this alliance as a direct threat to its position on the Sahara?
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Are there internal Spanish critics, especially from the radical left or nationalist factions, who believe Madrid conceded too much?
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And in Brussels, are some wary of Morocco rising as an alternative to France’s dominant role in the Mediterranean and Africa?
Toward a New South-North Partnership Model?
This evolving Moroccan-Spanish model may signal a new paradigm in Mediterranean cooperation.
If successful, it could serve as a reference for balanced South-North relations based on shared security and economic interests, not charity or hegemony.
But this hinges on navigating geopolitical resistance from actors unwilling to embrace a new African-European power dynamic.
Analytical Conclusion
What we are witnessing is not a simple diplomatic détente but a structural transformation redefining equal relations between an ambitious African state and a pragmatic European one.
The future of this dynamic depends on its ability to go beyond short-term interests—and weather coming political storms.
