Colombia has announced a major shift in its position on the Moroccan Sahara, confirming its recognition of the Kingdom of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces. The move redraws Bogotá’s stance on the issue.
The new orientation was announced on Friday during a meeting between Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and Colombia’s Vice President José Manuel Restrepo, in the presence of Foreign Relations Minister Omar Boula Escobar.
On the occasion, Boula Escobar affirmed that Colombia “recognizes Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara,” cementing a new direction in his country’s position on the issue. Restrepo, for his part, described the announcement as marking “a new beginning” in relations between the two countries, calling the Kingdom of Morocco “Colombia’s principal ally in Africa” and voicing his country’s desire to establish a strategic partnership with Rabat.
Bourita, meanwhile, described as “historic” Colombia’s decision to withdraw its recognition of the so-called “Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic” and to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara instead, saying the move would give bilateral relations a “strong boost.” He also noted that Morocco and Colombia could serve as complementary economic platforms for each other, drawing on their respective strategic positions in Africa and Latin America.
Bourita concluded that his presence in Cali, on the instructions of King Mohammed VI, to represent His Majesty at the inauguration ceremony of Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, reflects the Kingdom’s desire to keep pace with this new momentum and elevate Moroccan-Colombian relations to a higher level.
Arabic version | French version
