Spain approves citizenship for Sahrawis born under Spanish rule
Spain's parliament has backed a new citizenship law allowing Sahrawis born under Spanish rule before 1977 to acquire Spanish nationality without any residence requirement. The legislative move applies to an estimated population of up to 200,000 individuals from Western Sahara. Lawmakers supporting the measure describe the policy as settling a lingering moral debt to the people of the territory following the end of the Spanish colonial administration. However, financial analysts and observers warn that the decision is expected to spark fresh diplomatic tensions with Morocco, which claims sovereignty over the region.
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- ✓ Spain's parliament has backed a citizenship law for Western Saharans born before 1977.
- ✓ The citizenship measure applies to Sahrawis born under Spanish rule.
- ✓ The law will allow up to 200,000 Sahrawis to receive citizenship without requiring residence.
- ✓ The PNV stated that the nationality law repairs a moral debt with the people of Western Sahara.
What changed
The Spanish parliament officially backed and approved the legislation granting citizenship rights to Sahrawis born under Spanish rule.
Live updates
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Spain Approves Citizenship Law for Western Saharans
Spain's parliament has backed a new citizenship law allowing Sahrawis born under Spanish rule before 1977 to acquire Spanish nationality without any residence requirement. The legislative move applies to an estimated population of up to 200,000 individuals from Western Sahara. Lawmakers supporting the measure describe the policy as settling a lingering moral debt to the people of the territory following the end of the Spanish colonial administration. However, financial analysts and observers warn that the decision is expected to spark fresh diplomatic tensions with Morocco, which claims sovereignty over the region.
Why it matters
Western Sahara was administered by Spain until 1975, leaving behind complex questions of nationality and sovereignty that persisted for decades. The newly approved law creates a direct legal pathway for aging generations born during the colonial period to claim rights denied to them after Spain withdrew. This intervention alters the diplomatic dynamics of the region, touching sensitive geopolitical nerves between European and North African capitals.
What is confirmed
- Spain's parliament has backed a citizenship law for Western Saharans born before 1977.
- The citizenship measure applies to Sahrawis born under Spanish rule.
- The law will allow up to 200,000 Sahrawis to receive citizenship without requiring residence.
- The PNV stated that the nationality law repairs a moral debt with the people of Western Sahara.
Still unconfirmed
- The new citizenship law will spark fresh tensions with Morocco.
What to watch next
- Official diplomatic responses or retaliatory measures from the Moroccan government
- Implementation details and application procedures released by Spanish authorities
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (8)
- Reuters — Spain approves citizenship for Sahrawis born under Spanish rule
- Financial Times — Spain’s new citizenship law to spark fresh tensions with Morocco
- Al Jazeera — Spain’s Parliament backs citizenship for Western Saharans born before 1977
- Euronews.com — Spanish parliament backs citizenship law for Western Saharans
- dw.com — Spanish lawmakers back citizenship for Saharawis
- Demócrata — PNV holds that the Sahrawi nationality law repairs a moral debt with the people of Western Sahara.
- Al Jazeera — ‘A historic day’: Spain moves closer to citizenship for Western Saharans
- IMI Daily — Spain Moves to Grant Citizenship to Up to 200,000 Sahrawis, No Residence Required
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