Colombia withdraws recognition of SADR, recognizes Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara

Colombia announced on Friday a major shift in its position on Western Sahara, withdrawing its recognition of the «Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic» (SADR) and recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over the territory.

The decision was announced during a meeting between Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Colombian Vice-President José Manuel Restrepo, attended by Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar. On the occasion, Bula Escobar affirmed that Colombia «recognizes Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara».

Restrepo described the decision as «a new beginning» for relations between Rabat and Bogotá, calling Morocco «Colombia’s first ally in Africa» and expressing his country’s determination to establish a strategic partnership with the Kingdom.

Sahara marocain : la Colombie annonce un changement de sa position et reconnaît la souveraineté du Maroc sur son Sahara pic.twitter.com/kz2bIQX5E0

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Bourita described Colombia’s withdrawal of its recognition of the SADR and its new position on Morocco’s sovereignty as «historic», saying it could give «great momentum» to bilateral relations. He added that Morocco and Colombia could serve as economic gateways for each other, capitalizing on their respective positions in Africa and Latin America.

Bourita was in Cali on the instructions of King Mohammed VI to represent the sovereign at the inauguration of Colombia’s new President Abelardo de la Espriella.