Peru Withdraws Recognition of Polisario’s Self-Proclaimed SADR

Rabat – The government of Peru announced today its decision to withdraw its recognition of the Polisario Front’s self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).

The decision comes following talks between Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Mackay and Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.

The ministry said that it notified the UN of its decision, citing its official endorsement of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the only credible and serious basis to end the dispute over Western Sahara.

The statement further emphasized Peru and Morocco’s determination to strengthen bilateral ties through a multisectoral roadmap that will include cooperation in different fields — including economic, commercial, energy, and agriculture.

Many Peruvian MPs have been emphasizing support for Morocco’s territorial integrity. In 2021, Peruvian MP Martha Chavez Cossio reaffirmed Peru’s support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, stressing the need for a compromised-based political solution in line with UN resolutions.

In October 2017, 21 members of the Peruvian Parliament expressed their support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara.

Peru restored relations with Polisario in September 2021, a move that was highly criticized by many former Peruvian officials.

Peru first withdrew its recognition of Polisario’s self-proclaimed SADR in 1996.

Read also: Western Sahara: Why Spain Chose to Support Morocco’s Autonomy Plan

Morocco has enjoyed growing international support for its Autonomy Plan as the most serious and credible basis to end the dispute.

Spain was the latest country to officially endorse Morocco’s Autonomy Plan. Germany and the Netherlands have also recently emphasized the importance of the Moroccan initiative as an important contribution to end the dispute.

In 2020, Morocco welcomed the US decision to recognize the country’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara. In addition, many countries from Africa and other parts of the world opened diplomatic representations in Morocco’s southern provinces in the Western Sahara region, reflecting their support for Morocco’s territorial integrity.

The number of countries who opened consulates in the region has reached 24 to date. The latest opening was in July, when Togo officially inaugurated its diplomatic representation in Morocco’s Dakhla.