Spanish Congress Approves Citizenship Path for Sahrawis

Members of Spain’s parliament voted in favor of legislation on Thursday that would grant Spanish nationality to Sahrawis born before September 29, 1977, and provide a pathway for their descendants to naturalize. The approval by the lower house marks a significant step in a measure that could affect between 70,000 and over 100,000 individuals.

The bill passed with 168 votes in favor, 31 against, and 145 abstentions. It now moves to the Senate for final approval. The proposal received support from the ruling Socialist Party and its coalition partner, Sumar, while the conservative People’s Party chose not to vote against it, and the far-right Vox opposed the measure.

Tesh Sidi, the first woman of Sahrawi origin to serve in the Spanish parliament, advocated for the legislation, stating that it restores the “Spanish national identity card to those Sahrawis who once held and from whom this state took it away.” Spain administered the territory until 1976, when it withdrew.

The decision comes amid heightened tensions between Madrid and Rabat. Morocco claims sovereignty over Western Sahara, a region it controls almost entirely, while the indigenous Polisario Front seeks independence. Tens of thousands of displaced Sahrawis live in refugee camps near Tindouf, Algeria. Western Sahara remains listed by the United Nations as a non-self-governing territory.

Diplomatic relations between Spain and Morocco were already strained following a border crisis in July involving a large influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Scores of migrants died during the attempt to reach EU territory, predominantly by drowning. Although many have returned, thousands remain, including unaccompanied minors living in difficult conditions. The incident also exposed divisions within the European Union, particularly between Spain’s left-wing government and Italy’s far-right leadership.