Pro-polisario MEPs Rejected in Laâyoune: A Foiled Provocation

A group of Members of the European Parliament, notoriously known for their support of the separatist claims of the Polisario, attempted, without prior authorization, to enter Moroccan Sahara through Laâyoune Airport on February 20, 2025. Taking advantage of their political status, these lawmakers sought to force their way under the pretext of an observation mission, without having obtained approval from the Moroccan authorities or the European Parliament. In the face of this illegal intrusion, the security forces applied a firm and diplomatic response, ordering them to return on the same flight they had arrived on.

Among the individuals involved are members of European left-wing political parties, including Spanish Serra Sánchez Isabel from Podemos, Finnish Lemstrom Anna Kati and Jussi Saramo from the Left Alliance, as well as Portuguese Catarina Martins from the Left Bloc. Alongside them, parliamentary assistants and a Spanish filmmaker, involved in promoting separatist views, tried to accompany this maneuver orchestrated to harm Morocco’s interests. Their actions are part of a media campaign aimed at discrediting Morocco’s sovereignty over its Southern provinces.

This illegal incursion attempt comes at a strategic moment, as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was initially expected to visit Morocco, though her trip was postponed. The MEPs sought to capitalize on this period to amplify their actions and create a fake diplomatic crisis. This incident is reminiscent of another similar initiative carried out a few weeks ago by a group of Basque MEPs, who were also rejected under similar circumstances.

The European Parliament’s internal regulations require its members to obtain an official mandate before undertaking a visit to a third country. Additionally, any parliamentary mission of this type must be approved by the authorities of the country concerned. However, the MEPs involved had not undertaken any official procedure in this regard. Their attempt to enter was more of a political and media provocation than a genuine observation mission.

Moroccan authorities responded firmly while respecting diplomatic procedures. Aware of the symbolic and political significance of this maneuver, they refused to yield to the provocation, thus preserving national sovereignty and avoiding unnecessary escalation. This event highlights the need for the European Union to remind its members to respect diplomatic conduct rules, to prevent personal initiatives from disrupting bilateral relations with partner countries like Morocco.

In fact, this attempt is part of a broader strategy aimed at undermining Morocco-EU relations, which have strengthened in recent months. Last December, the Speaker of the Moroccan Parliament, Rachid Talbi Alami, held talks with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola to enhance parliamentary cooperation. Furthermore, a Joint Parliamentary Committee exists to facilitate dialogue and officially organize such missions, making the actions of these MEPs even more suspicious.

This incident also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a stable cooperation framework between Morocco and the European Union. The attempt to politicize the Moroccan Sahara for partisan purposes by some European lawmakers should not undermine the diplomatic and strategic progress between Rabat and Brussels. The failure of this maneuver further confirms Morocco’s vigilance in the face of manipulation attempts orchestrated by Polisario supporters.