Spain to grant nationality to Sahrawis

MADRID:

Spanish lawmakers on Thursday backed a law granting citizenship to tens of thousands of Western Saharans who were born when Spain ran the disputed territory now largely controlled by Morocco since 1975, but the United Nations considers it a non-self-governing territory.

The vote comes at a particularly sensitive time for Madrid's historically delicate relations with Rabat due to the migration crisis in Spain's north African territory of Ceuta. Parliament passed the initiative by 168 votes to 31, but it must obtain approval in the Senate before becoming law.

Although the exact number of beneficiaries is unknown, around 80,000 Sahrawis are believed to be eligible, with some estimates reaching almost 200,000 including the descendants.