Bourita: Colombia’s Recognition of Morocco’s Sovereignty over its Sahara is a “Historic Decision”…

Aldar / Imane Alaoui

Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, described Colombia’s shift in position on the Moroccan Sahara and its recognition of the Kingdom of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces as a “historic decision” that is set to give a “strong boost” to Moroccan-Colombian relations and open new prospects for cooperation and partnership between the two countries.

The new position was announced on Friday during talks between Nasser Bourita and Colombia’s Vice President José Manuel Restrepo, in the presence of Colombia’s newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oumar Bola Escobar. During the meeting, Bogota officially announced its change of position on the Sahara issue.

Colombia’s Foreign Minister Oumar Bola Escobar stated unequivocally that his country “recognizes Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara,” marking a significant shift in Colombia’s official position on the issue. Bogota has also decided to withdraw its recognition of what is referred to as the “Sahrawi Republic” and adopt a new position affirming the Kingdom of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces.

Nasser Bourita described the development as a “historic decision” and a major turning point in relations between the two countries. According to the Moroccan minister, the move is expected to provide a “strong impetus” to bilateral cooperation and open a new chapter in Moroccan-Colombian relations.

Bourita also stressed that Morocco and Colombia possess significant assets that could enable them to develop substantial economic complementarity. Given their respective strategic positions in Africa and Latin America, the two countries could serve as “economic platforms for one another,” he noted.

Colombian Vice President José Manuel Restrepo, for his part, said that the development marks a “new beginning” in relations between Colombia and Morocco, describing the Kingdom as “Colombia’s first ally in Africa.”

Restrepo also expressed his country’s ambition to elevate its relations with Rabat to the level of a strategic partnership, reflecting Bogota’s desire to broaden and deepen cooperation with Morocco across political, economic and strategic fields.

Colombia’s change of position comes amid growing diplomatic momentum in Morocco’s relations with Latin American countries. The move further strengthens the Kingdom’s position among its Latin American partners and reflects the expanding circle of states whose positions are increasingly aligned with Morocco’s position on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara.

Nasser Bourita further recalled that his presence in Cali, upon the Very High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, to represent the Sovereign at the inauguration ceremony of Colombia’s newly elected President, Abelardo de la Espriella, clearly reflects the Kingdom’s determination to accompany this new dynamic and elevate Moroccan-Colombian relations to a “higher level.”

According to the vision expressed by Bourita, this development opens a new chapter in Moroccan-Colombian relations, extending beyond the political dimension of the Sahara issue to lay the foundations for a strategic partnership based on shared interests and economic complementarity. Morocco and Colombia could therefore leverage their respective positions as gateways to African and Latin American markets.