That day is widely seen as a turning point in modern Spanish history – the moment when the country’s commitment to democracy was bolstered following the firm action of King Juan Carlos in putting down the putsch. But in his column Ramoneda identifies an exaggerated sense of self-congratulation in the memory of that day now, charging that “we commemorate 23-F in a tribe-like way, without being capable of thinking for one minute about those who today fight for democracy.” And those who fight for democracy today are on Spain’s doorstep. Spain and Europe have failed to send a clear message to North Africa in recent weeks, Ramoneda charges. Spain is a country with particular … [Read more...] about The Tejero coup, North Africa and back-slapping
algeria
Morocco’s Mohammed VI must decide
February 20 was Morocco’s “Day of Dignity” but it ended in violence and ignominy as five people died engulfed by flames in a ransacked bank after what had begun as a protest against a rigid political system turned violent in some of the North African country’s most deprived urban areas. The contrast between the orderly demonstrations in many cities including the capital, where banners were raised and slogans in favour of greater democracy were chanted without causing incident, and the rampaging mobs in the streets of many northern towns such as Alhucemas, where the fatalities occurred, could not be more stark. And, given the broader context of revolts sweeping the region, King … [Read more...] about Morocco’s Mohammed VI must decide
Sahara countdown
Resistance is often the key to winning any conflict, and although the best part of two decades have passed without any significant military action in the war for Western Sahara, the pro-independence Polisario Front has always set great store by the power to resist of the Sahrawi refugees in the camps at Tindouf, Algeria. While Morocco, the occupying force in the territory that was known as Spanish Sahara until the European country withdrew in 1975, has kept up a whispering campaign about dwindling numbers in the desert camps – the Polisario’s constituency, although there is also an unknown number of supporters of independence inside the territory – officials of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic … [Read more...] about Sahara countdown