Morocco reclaims its long lost region of Sidi Ifni from Spain

On 4 January 1969 an agreement to return Sidi Ifni to Morocco was signed between Spain and Morocco. One of the terms of the agreement was the awarding of fishing rights to Spain, off Morocco's Atlantic coast. Although the actual transfer was made on 30 June, the Sidi Ifni people were happy about the resolution. The story of Sidi Ifni dates back to 1476 when Spanish explorer, Diego GarcÁ­a de Herrera, lord of the Canaries, established the area as a Spanish fishing, slaving, and trading locality. Diseases and the hostility of the local population forced Spain to abandon the region in 1524. In 1860 Spain reclaimed the region following a treaty with Morocco, but the effective Spanish reoccupation began in 1934.