As usual, Spain's Sumar party, a member of the ruling coalition led by the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), continues to criticize the government's stance on the Western Sahara issue. The party has demanded clarification from Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares regarding Morocco's decision to block the «Freedom for Sahrawi Political Prisoners» march, which began on May 31 in Tarifa, Spain, and was headed toward Tangier. Moroccan authorities barred the participants from entering the country. The demand was made during a meeting in the Spanish Parliament with French activist Claude Mangin-Asfari, wife of Sahrawi detainee Naama Asfari. Party coordinator Antonio Maíllo, who attended the meeting, reaffirmed Sumar's support for the cause, emphasizing their «commitment to defending the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination» and acknowledging Spain's historical responsibility as the former colonial power. Maíllo noted that although Sumar is part of the government, it remains at odds with the larger Socialist party over foreign policy priorities. While the government has focused on the Palestinian cause, Sumar insists that «consistent support for the Sahrawi cause is equally vital», warning that abandoning it would signal a double standard. Sumar has submitted written questions to the Foreign Ministry, requesting explanations for Morocco's refusal to admit the march participants, as well as details on measures taken by the Spanish government to uphold human rights. These inquiries follow Morocco's expulsion of over 17 Spaniards from the Sahara, including several journalists. Despite these efforts, the Foreign Ministry has responded only in general terms, reiterating its commitment to human rights without providing specific details about the expulsions or the government's actions, according to Spanish media. Meanwhile, the Spanish parliamentary group focused on Western Sahara has called on the government to condemn Morocco's expulsion of the march participants.
