The Dominican Republic has announced its intention to open a consulate in Dakhla, marking another success in Morocco’s “consulate diplomacy” aimed at reinforcing its sovereignty over Western Sahara. This announcement was made during a meeting between Dominican President Luis Abinader and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita at the presidential palace in Santo Domingo, on the occasion of Abinader’s inauguration.
According to a statement from the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Abinader instructed Bourita to convey his country’s unwavering support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara to King Mohammed VI and to prioritize the opening of a consulate in Dakhla in its future expansion plans.
The statement further noted that President Abinader reaffirmed that the Dominican Republic views the Moroccan autonomy plan as the only solution to the Western Sahara conflict. During this meeting, Bourita also extended King Mohammed VI’s congratulations to President Abinader for his new term and invited him to make an official visit to Morocco to strengthen bilateral relations.
The Dominican Republic had previously renewed its “absolute recognition” of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara on July 29, 2023, and expressed a “positive view” regarding the opening of a consulate in Dakhla, according to a letter sent by Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez to his Moroccan counterpart.
International recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara is growing, with notable support from countries such as the United States and, more recently, France. French President Emmanuel Macron announced on July 30 that France would continue to support Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara. This French support follows Spain’s historic recognition of the autonomy plan as the “most serious, realistic, and credible basis for resolving the conflict.”
Additionally, other European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, as well as several African nations and Gulf Cooperation Council countries, have also opened diplomatic missions in Laayoune and Dakhla, further strengthening international support for Morocco.
With the recent opening of a consulate by Chad in Dakhla, the number of consulates in the southern provinces now totals 29, with 17 in Dakhla. This diplomatic momentum enhances international backing for Morocco’s autonomy plan and highlights the growing successes of its consulate diplomacy while countering misinformation from adversaries of the kingdom’s territorial integrity.
