Following UN Security Council Resolution 2797, of October 31, 2025, concerning the situation in Western Sahara, a series of reports have emerged that directly affect our archipelago and which, in my opinion, have gone somewhat unnoticed.
On the one hand, the commendable resolution introduces a significant change in the handling of the Western Sahara conflict, given that, for the first time since 1975-76 of the last century, the Council states that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could be the most feasible solution, thus backing the proposal for an autonomous region for our former province that Morocco presented in 2007. Nevertheless, the resolution maintains a deliberate ambiguity, as, although it considers the Moroccan option credible, it renews MINURSO, urges the continuation of negotiations without prior conditions, and reaffirms the principle of self-determination for the Sahrawi people, leaving open the interpretation of what the final solution should be. Morocco interprets this resolution as the definitive abandonment of the referendum path and as international support for the integration of the Sahara as an autonomous Moroccan region, a stance supported by Donald Trump and Pedro Sánchez, without the consent of the Spanish Parliament. In contrast, the Polisario Front rejects this interpretation and maintains that the self-determination referendum remains mandatory under international lawIn our opinion, this has unleashed Moroccan euphoria, and that is why the Alawite country is returning to its old intention of extending its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf (CS) from Western Sahara to, among other things, project rights over Mount Trópic, located southwest of the Canary Islands. An underwater enclave whose importance is not insignificant: according to a recent scientific report prepared in China, it concentrates approximately 5% of the planet's tellurium reserves, in addition to other strategic metals essential for the technological industry and the energy transition.
Spain has always maintained a respectful stance towards international law, until the arrival of Pedro Sánchez to power and his leaning towards Morocco's interests, which, in principle, would seriously clash with those of Spain and the Canary Islands. In this regard, at the 38th session of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), held in New York from July 20 to September 4, 2015, Spain presented its project to extend the continental shelf west of the Canary Islands up to 350 nautical miles, in accordance with Article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, an international treaty ratified by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Our country acknowledged that this extension could generate two maritime overlaps: to the north, with Portugal, due to the projection of Madeira; and to the south, with Western Sahara. The Spanish representative, José Martín y Pérez de Nanclares, emphasized that Western Sahara is a Non-Self-Governing Territory in the process of decolonization. Therefore, Spain declared its willingness to negotiate an equitable solution with Portugal and with the entity exercising effective sovereignty over Western Sahara once said process is concluded.
From the Canary Islands, it is incomprehensible that President Pedro Sánchez adopted the Moroccan stance on Western Sahara without prior debate in Parliament, given that it is a decision of great national significance. Furthermore, this stance is taken in a context where the Canary Islands are facing strong migratory pressure and maintain an excessive dependence on tourism, a sector that is transcendental for us and that we must continue to nurture, so to speak. Before undertaking such a relevant change, it should have been considered that resources such as the tellurium from Monte Trópic could offer Spain and the Canary Islands a strategic economic opportunity, capable of diversifying our economy and reducing vulnerabilities. Be that as it may, regardless of who ultimately holds sovereign power in Western Sahara, the Spanish government must fight to maintain, within international legality, the maximum exploitation of resources. I recall, as I have proposed on other occasions, that one can always opt for condominium, that is, to exploit the resources jointly between Spain and Morocco and/or Western Sahara
