On May 5, 2026, the General Assembly of Araba (Γlava), a province in the Basque Country, Spain, approved a motion expressing support for the self-determination of the Sahrawi people in Western Sahara. The motion, backed by the PNV and EH Bildu parties, calls on the Spanish government to take a more active role in promoting a UN-led referendum on the territory's future.
Western Sahara has been disputed between Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) since Spain withdrew in 1975. The UN considers it a non-self-governing territory, and the African Union recognizes the SADR. The motion in Araba aligns with similar declarations by other Spanish regions, such as Navarre and the Canary Islands, which have also voiced support for Sahrawi rights.
The resolution urges the Spanish government to pressure Morocco to allow a free and fair referendum, as outlined in UN resolutions. It also condemns alleged human rights violations in Western Sahara and calls for the release of Sahrawi political prisoners. The motion is non-binding but reflects growing regional solidarity with the Sahrawi cause in Spain.
