In these times of profound transformation and growing international instability, the Canary Islands are witnessing, with a mixture of disbelief, indignation, and concern, the advance of a policy of fait accompli that threatens not only the interests of the Archipelago, but also its own security, environmental integrity, and economic model. The recent award by the Kingdom of Morocco to Israeli companies of the concession for the exploration and possible exploitation of hydrocarbons in the waters of Western Sahara—just a few kilometers from our coasts—represents a new twist in the neighboring country's expansionist strategy, reinforced by an international context that paves the way and, regrettably, leaves the Canary Islands off the decision-making stage.
Through a motion presented by Nueva Canarias - Frente Amplio Canarista in the Gran Canaria Island Council, in the plenary session last March, it was approved, by a large majority, to show a resounding rejection of this operation which, in addition to lacking international legitimacy, violates the rulings of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the clear mandate of the United Nations regarding Western Sahara, a territory illegally occupied since 1975 and still pending a decolonization process.
The transfer of a license covering more than 34.000 square kilometers—an area larger than the entirety of Catalonia—to the Israeli company NewMed Energy to operate in the maritime block known as "Atlantic Boujdour" is not an isolated event. It is another step in a strategy that has been developing for years, in which Morocco uses its alliance with Israel to open a path to energy exploitation in a territory with no recognized rights for the occupier. This alliance also occurs in the midst of the genocide in Gaza, which exacerbates the ethical and political dimension of the agreement.
Tensions with Morocco over the delimitation of territorial waters, hydrocarbon exploration, and the extraction of rare earths in sensitive areas such as Mount Tropic, off our coast, are also generating growing social and institutional concern.
This policy of plunder, based on disregard for international dictates and the strengthening of strategic alliances with powers that look the other way, is being tacitly—if not explicitly—supported by the United States, France, and, sadly, also by the Spanish government. In a move reminiscent of the worst chapters of colonialism, these powers are strengthening Morocco's geostrategic position at the expense of the rights of the Sahrawi people and the security of our islands.
Spain has opted for an ambiguous, if not complacent, diplomacy that turns us into mere spectators to decisions that directly affect us. Consider the meeting held a few days ago, on April 17, in Madrid, between the foreign ministers of Spain and Morocco defending the Sahara autonomy plan without a referendum. "The most serious, realistic, and credible basis for resolving this dispute," according to Spanish Minister Albares.
To make matters worse, on Tuesday, April 8, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged "the parties involved to begin talks without delay" to implement Rabat's proposal for Western Sahara, which Washington considers "the only framework for negotiating a mutually acceptable solution" and which involves granting autonomy to that territory while maintaining Moroccan sovereignty.
We cannot ignore, as the EFE Agency points out, that Morocco is one of the main partners of the United States, a country with which it has signed a Free Trade Agreement since 2005 and with which it also maintains close relations in matters of security and defense, which are also crystallized by the 'African Lion' military maneuvers that both countries have organized jointly for more than two decades and which are considered the largest on the African continent.
And meanwhile, the Canary Islands remain silent. Or, rather, they are forced to remain silent. Our voice is absent from the forums where crucial decisions are made about the future of the environment we inhabit, about the resources we share, about the maritime routes vital to our sovereignty, about the environmental risks that threaten our coasts. This glaring absence of representation condemns us to a dangerous dependency that limits our capacity to respond, renders us invisible, and, worse, makes us vulnerable.
Because this isn't just a political or diplomatic issue. What's at stake is much more. It's our economic model that's at risk if massive exploitation of fossil resources begins in nearby waters. It's our marine biodiversity, already affected by the effects of climate change, that could be irreversibly damaged. It's our geopolitical stability that's threatened by the growing militarization of North Africa and by Morocco's consolidation as an actor with hegemonic aspirations in the region, encouraged by a deafening international silence.
The situation with Morocco cannot be analyzed solely from a traditional diplomatic perspective. We are talking about a neighboring country, yes, but also an actor that has increased its military presence in the Sahel, deepened alliances with global powers, and pursued an increasingly ambitious—and sometimes aggressive—foreign policy in the South Atlantic. This is not about fomenting confrontation, but rather about maturely embracing the complexity of the new geostrategic reality. It is about being firm without falling into alarmism. It is about rejecting the naive do-gooderism that, under the guise of dialogue, leaves the Canary Islands exposed and without any tools.
Furthermore, we want to be a platform for strengthening our relations with West Africa based on neighborliness, solidarity, and cooperation. Morocco, Mauritania, the Sahrawi Arab Republic, Senegal, Cape Verde... are much more than neighbors. They are potential partners in a common agenda of sustainability, food security, the fight against climate change, and safe migration. But this agenda will only be possible if it is built on the basis of mutual respect, not imposition.
From the Gran Canaria Island Council, we firmly demand that the voice of the Canary Islands be heard. That our right to be an active part of decisions that directly affect our territory and our lives be respected. It is unacceptable that maritime boundaries continue to be negotiated without our participation. It is unacceptable that agreements on exclusive economic zones that overlap with ours continue to be made without prior consultation. It is unacceptable that those who violate international law are legitimized while those who defend it are silenced.
We also demand that the Government of Spain and the Government of the Canary Islands assume their responsibility. That they not remain impassive in the face of this new geopolitical challenge. That they forcefully demand respect for international law. That they unequivocally defend the rights of the Sahrawi people. And that they work, in coordination with Europe, to prevent policies of occupation and plunder from taking root right under our noses.
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It's time to act. To stop being silent. To protect the Canary Islands, their ecosystem, their sovereignty, their dignity. What's at stake isn't just a matter of oil, gas, or rare earths. What's at stake is our future as a people.
Antonio Morales Mendez
President of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria
