Spanish parliament on Thursday, approved law granting citizenship to tens of thousands of Western Saharans who were born when Spain ran the disputed territory, which is now largely controlled by Morocco.
The lawmakers voted to grants Spanish nationality to Sahrawis born before 29 September 1977 and to their children through a certificate of naturalisation, considering that date the effective end of decolonisation.
This also applies to those who do not legally reside in Spain.
Western Saharans, otherwise known as Sahrawis, are the indigenous nomadic people of Western Sahara, possessing a rich culture of mixed Arab, Berber, and sub-Saharan African descent.
Spain’s lower house of parliament voted to pass legislation 168-31, with 145 abstentions. The bill is expected to go to the Senate for necessary amendments before it becomes a law.
While estimates of those eligible range from around 70,000 to more than 100,000, supporters have described the legislation as instrumental to correcting historical injustice by colonial Spain in the West Saharan territory.
The vote followed renewed tensions between Madrid and Rabat after more than 70,000 migrants from Morocco crossed into Ceuta, Spain, in July.
Sumar lawmaker Tesh Sidi, the first woman of Sahrawi origin to serve in the Spanish parliament, said abstaining or voting no meant siding with Morocco.
“We are correcting a historic injustice: cutting the process down to two years once you have legal residence in Spain. Until now, Sahrawis had to wait 10, 14, or even 24 years to apply for Spanish nationality, despite having a Spanish father and legal residence,” Ms Sidi stated.
