Bamako — The Dominican Republic has reaffirmed its strong support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara and announced plans to open a consulate in the disputed territory’s main city, Dakhla.
The declaration came during a meeting between Dominican President Luis Abinader and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita on Thursday. Bourita was in the country to congratulate Abinader on his re-election.
In a statement, the Dominican Foreign Ministry said Abinader conveyed to Bourita his country’s “firm support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara.” The president also expressed his belief that Morocco’s autonomy plan is the “only solution” to the long-standing dispute.
As a concrete step in strengthening bilateral ties, the Dominican Republic intends to establish a consular presence in Dakhla, a move that would significantly boost Morocco’s diplomatic standing in the region.
Bourita extended an invitation to Abinader to visit Morocco, a proposal the Dominican president warmly welcomed. The two countries expressed a shared desire to deepen cooperation in various fields, including trade, investment, and tourism.
The Dominican Republic’s backing of Morocco’s position on Western Sahara aligns with a growing number of countries recognizing the North African kingdom’s sovereignty over the territory.
