Documentos RNE - Sáhara Occidental: medio siglo de la Marcha Verde

Podcast: Documentos RNE
Host: Radio Nacional
Episode Date: November 23, 2025

Overview

This episode provides a comprehensive, multi-voice documentary on the Western Sahara conflict, focusing on the 50th anniversary of the Marcha Verde (Green March) in 1975, which marked Spain’s withdrawal from its former African colony and the subsequent occupation by Morocco and Mauritania. Through testimonies from historians, ex-military personnel, Sahrawi activists, politicians, and journalists, the program reconstructs the historical, political, and personal narratives that have shaped the dispute, emphasizing the enduring trauma, international implications, and the sense of abandonment felt by the Sahrawi people.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Historical Context and Roots of the Conflict

• Spanish Colonialism and Treaties
  • The presence of Spain in Western Sahara is rooted in late 19th and early 20th-century treaties, notably those with France regarding borders for the purposes of mineral extraction.
  • “Este tratado lo firman los saharauis con España, no lo firma Marruecos porque esas tribus eran independientes...” — Carlos Ruiz Miguel (08:14)
• Creation of Spanish Provinces in Africa
  • In response to the UN’s decolonization demands, Spain designated Ifni and Sahara as provinces in 1958.
  • “El 10 de enero de 1958 se convierten tanto Ifni como el Sáhara en provincias españolas...” — Guadalupe Pérez García (12:55)

2. Rise of Sahrawi Nationalism

• Frente Polisario and Early Rebellion
  • The emergence of Sahrawi identity was catalyzed by Spanish policies and the perception of betrayal during decolonization negotiations.
  • “Fuimos 17 personas las que organizamos el primer Congreso del Frente Polisario en mayo del 73...” — Brahim Ghali (19:22)
  • The brutal repression of demonstrations in 1970 and the disappearance of nationalist leaders feed into collective grievances and radicalization.

3. Marcha Verde and Spanish Withdrawal (1975)

• Political Maneuvering and International Interests
  • Morocco, under King Hassan II, orchestrated a massive peaceful march to pressure Spain into relinquishing the Sahara.
    • “Hassan II llama al pueblo de organizar una manifestación compuesta por 350.000 personas para ir al Sáhara” — Carlos Ruiz Miguel/Mohamed Larbi Messari (00:35, 24:42)
  • Testimonies point to active US support and geostrategic calculations related to phosphate resources.
    • “La Marcha Verde estaba sufragada o apoyada por Estados Unidos...” — Ricardo Ramos Alcaraz de Unamuno (26:35)
  • Within the Spanish government, pro-Moroccan lobbying and the illness of Franco contributed to hasty negotiations.
    • “Dentro del gobierno franquista existe además un lobby pro marroquí...” — Guadalupe Pérez García (01:09, 30:35)
  • Disillusionment and sense of betrayal pervaded both the Sahrawi population and the Spanish military in the territory.
    • "Ningún saharaui tuvo jamás en mente la idea de que España se lo entregaría a Marruecos." — Pablo Ignacio de Dalmases (01:34, 39:09)

Notable Moment

• Príncipe Juan Carlos’s Visit
  • The future king’s ambiguous statements to Spanish troops fostered hope, only to be followed by withdrawal and transfer of administration.
    • “…nos aseguró, palabras textuales, que España saldría de este lance con honor… fue una ambigüedad calculada del Rey.”— Ricardo Ramos Alcaraz de Unamuno (35:50)

4. Aftermath: Conflict, Displacement, and International Deadlock

• Humanitarian Crisis
  • Over 170,000 Sahrawis have lived in refugee camps since the 1970s, a living reminder of the unresolved conflict.
    • “Más de 45 años viviendo en un campo de refugiado en el desierto de los desiertos...” — Guadalupe Pérez García (02:36)
• Legal and Political Status
  • The UN continues to consider Western Sahara an unresolved colonial issue. The much-promised referendum on self-determination is continuously delayed.
    • “La ONU sigue considerando el Sáhara territorio no autónomo en proceso de descolonización…” — Narrator (46:58)
• Geopolitical Interests vs. Sahrawi Rights
  • Spain’s 2022 diplomatic shift, recognizing Morocco’s autonomy plan as the “most serious, credible, and realistic” basis for a solution, is portrayed as prioritizing relations with Morocco over Sahrawi self-determination.
    • “España reconoce los esfuerzos serios y creíbles de Marruecos… la iniciativa de autonomía presentada en 2007 es la base más seria, realista y creíble.”— José Manuel Albares, Ministro de Exteriores (50:48)
  • Sahrawi representatives and experts argue that no solution will be legitimate without the consent of the Sahrawi people.
    • “La única solución justa… es la que elija el pueblo saharaui.” — Abdullah Arabi, Frente Polisario (51:10)
    • “…ninguna decisión va a ser legítima mientras no cuente con el beneplácito del pueblo saharaui.” — Guadalupe Pérez García (52:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Colonial Abandonment & Betrayal

  • “El gobierno español se baja los pantalones.” — Pablo Ignacio de Dalmases (01:14)
  • “Ningún saharaui tuvo jamás en mente la idea de que España se lo entregaría a Marruecos.” — Pablo Ignacio de Dalmases (01:34, 39:09)

• Sahrawi Voices

  • “No tuvo en cuenta la opinión de los saharauis.” — Brahim Ghali (45:38)
  • “Ese conflicto me sigue marcando mucho. Sabemos muy bien de dónde venimos.” — Guadalupe Pérez García (03:28)

• Political Ambiguities

  • “Saldríamos con honor… fue una ambigüedad calculada del Rey.” — Ricardo Ramos Alcaraz de Unamuno (35:50)

• International Stalemate

  • “Trump ahora es quien dicta e impone las resoluciones de las Naciones Unidas.” — Guadalupe Pérez García (52:32)

• On the Enduring Debt

  • “La luminosa inocencia de los 3.000 niños saharauis que nos visitan cada verano… es el recordatorio vivo, recurrente y doloroso de una deuda.” — Narrator (02:12)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Background and Origins of Spanish Presence: 07:56–10:09
• Development of Sahrawi Nationalism and the Polisario: 14:16–21:09
• Marcha Verde and International Politics: 23:25–29:41
• Spanish Internal Politics, Franco’s Illness, and Decision to Withdraw: 30:09–32:51
• On-the-ground Experiences during the Transition: 35:00–40:03
• Flag Lowering Ceremony and Proclamation of Sahrawi Republic: 43:54–45:26
• Refugee Crisis and International Positions (Post-1976): 46:21–52:32

Conclusion

The episode expertly blends personal memories, political analysis, and historical documentation to illuminate a complex and painful chapter in Spanish and North African history. It foregrounds the persistent limbo of Western Sahara—a “wound left open” by colonialism—while drawing sharp attention to the enduring plight and resistance of the Sahrawi people. Despite recent international developments and changing Spanish policy, the voices in this episode argue that justice for Western Sahara requires meaningful self-determination, something that, as of the episode’s broadcast, remains unconceded.

(All quotes and positions are attributed to the speakers as in the transcript. Sections such as advertisements or radio station branding have been omitted in this summary.)