Why Spain’s new Sahrawi citizenship law matters to Morocco

Spain’s Congress has approved a bill that would open a special route to Spanish citizenship for Sahrawis born in Western Sahara while the disputed territory was under Spanish occupation. The bill passed by 168 votes to 31, with 145 abstentions. It must still go through the Senate before it can become law. So what exactly would the measure do, and why is Morocco watching it closely? The proposed law would allow people born in Western Sahara before September 29, 1977, to apply for Spanish nationality through a special procedure without having to meet the normal residency requirements. First-degree descendants would also be covered. It would also shorten the duration of the residence requirement for eligible Sahrawis legally living in Spain.