Spanish lawmakers have voted for legislation that would grant citizenship to thousands of Western Saharans.

Western Saharans, otherwise known as Sahrawis, are the indigenous nomadic people of Western Sahara, possessing a rich culture of mixed Arab, Berber, and sub-Saharan African descent.

They were born when Spain ran the disputed territory now largely controlled by Morocco.

Spain’s lower house of parliament voted on Thursday to pass legislation 168-31, with 145 abstentions. The bill is expected to go to the Senate for necessary amendments before it becomes a law.

If approved, the legislation would grant Spanish nationality to Sahrawis born before September 29, 1977, and to their children through naturalisation, even if they never stayed in Spain.

While estimates of those eligible range from around 70,000 to more than 100,000, supporters have described the legislation as instrumental to correcting historical injustice by colonial Spain in the West Saharan territory.

The vote followed renewed tensions between Madrid and Rabat after more than 70,000 migrants from Morocco crossed into Ceuta, Spain, in July.

Sumar lawmaker Tesh Sidi, the first woman of Sahrawi origin to serve in the Spanish parliament, said abstaining or voting no meant siding with Morocco.

“We are correcting a historic injustice: cutting the process down to two years once you have legal residence in Spain. Until now, Sahrawis had to wait 10, 14, or even 24 years to apply for Spanish nationality, despite having a Spanish father and legal residence,” Ms Sidi stated.