Colombia has made a major diplomatic shift on the disputed Western Sahara, withdrawing its recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the territory, according to Moroccan officials.
The change marks a significant reversal of Bogotá’s previous position and opens the way for closer strategic ties between Colombia and Morocco.
The new position was announced on Friday during talks involving Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Colombian Vice-President José Manuel Restrepo and Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar.
Bula Escobar said Colombia now “recognises Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara,” according to the Moroccan account of the meeting.
Restrepo described the decision as “a new beginning” in bilateral relations, calling Morocco Colombia’s “first ally in Africa” and expressing Bogotá’s intention to develop a strategic partnership with Rabat.
Bourita welcomed the decision as “historic,” saying Colombia’s withdrawal of recognition of the SADR and support for Morocco’s sovereignty claim could provide significant momentum to relations between the two countries.
He said Morocco and Colombia could serve as economic gateways for each other, capitalising on their respective positions in Africa and Latin America.
The Western Sahara dispute has remained one of Africa’s longest-running territorial conflicts. Morocco controls most of the territory and considers it an integral part of the kingdom, while the Polisario Front seeks independence and established the SADR, which is recognised by some countries and is a member of the African Union.
Bourita was in Cali representing King Mohammed VI at the investiture ceremony of Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella.
According to Bourita, his participation reflected Morocco’s intention to use the political transition in Colombia to build fresh momentum in bilateral relations and elevate the partnership to a new level.
Colombia’s policy reversal adds to Morocco’s diplomatic campaign to secure international backing for its position on Western Sahara, while further reducing diplomatic recognition of the SADR.