Spanish Parliament Approves Citizenship for Western Saharans Born Under Colonization
Spanish lawmakers have passed a bill granting citizenship to individuals born in Western Sahara during Spain's colonial rule. The lower house approved the legislation with a vote of 168 in favor, 31 against, and 145 abstentions.
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Spain's Congress has approved a bill allowing Sahrawis born in Western Sahara before September 29, 1977, to apply for Spanish citizenship without needing to meet normal residency requirements, passing with 168 votes to 31 and 145 abstentions. This could potentially benefit between 70,000 and 110,000 individuals, including eligible Sahrawis in Western Sahara and Sahrawi refugees in Algeria, giving them EU citizenship rights. The timing of the bill follows Spain's recent support for Morocco's autonomy proposal for Western Sahara, complicating diplomatic relations as it addresses Spain's colonial past while Morocco remains concerned about the implications for its territorial claims.
On September 11, 2026, the Spanish parliament supported a bill granting citizenship to Western Saharans born before 1977, potentially benefiting over 100,000 Sahrawis, including those like Mohamed Mohamedna, who has lived in Spain for 21 years as a stateless person. The bill, passed with 168 votes in favor and 31 against, would allow eligible Sahrawis to apply for citizenship in a simplified manner, requiring only two years of legal residence instead of the usual ten. This legislative move comes amid heightened tensions between Spain and Morocco due to recent migrant crossings and ongoing disputes over Western Sahara's status.
Spanish lawmakers voted to grant citizenship to individuals born in Western Sahara during Spanish colonization, with the lower house approving the bill by 168 votes in favor, 31 against, and 145 abstentions. The legislation targets Sahrawis born before September 29, 1977, with estimates of eligible individuals ranging from 70,000 to over 100,000, and must now pass the senate to become law. This move could complicate Spain's relations with Morocco, which maintains claims over Western Sahara, especially following a recent border crisis in Ceuta that highlighted tensions between the two countries.
Spanish lawmakers approved legislation to grant citizenship to tens of thousands of Western Saharans born when Spain controlled the territory, with the lower house voting 168-31 and 145 abstentions. The bill targets Sahrawis born before September 29, 1977, and their children, potentially benefiting 70,000 to 120,000 individuals, as part of efforts to address historical injustices. The initiative has garnered both support and opposition, and now moves to the Senate for further consideration before final approval.