The international dynamic regarding the Moroccan Sahara issue is undergoing a significant shift, marked by the gradual withdrawal of South and Central American countries from their support of the Polisario. This decline can be attributed to several factors, including the reassessment of national interests, the exposure of the Polisario and Algeria’s manipulations, and the success of Moroccan diplomacy in promoting a realistic and inclusive vision for resolving the conflict.
The latest example of this trend is Panama’s recent decision to officially sever ties with the Polisario. Announced recently, this move underscores the growing desire of countries in the region to align with sustainable solutions that comply with international law. Panama has expressed its intention to strengthen cooperation with Morocco, a key partner in various sectors such as trade, poverty alleviation, and energy transition. This step also reflects an explicit acknowledgment of the Moroccan autonomy plan as the only viable solution to the dispute.
The Polisario’s long-standing claims of representing a decolonization cause have been exposed as falsehoods through Morocco’s efforts. Historical data and tangible facts highlight the ancestral connection of the Saharan provinces to the Moroccan Kingdom. These revelations have led many countries in the region, previously influenced by well-orchestrated propaganda, to reconsider their positions.
Furthermore, the Polisario’s growing isolation is exacerbated by its categorical refusal to conduct a population census in the Tindouf camps. This refusal raises doubts about the true nature of this movement, which, far from being a national liberation entity, increasingly appears as an organization manipulated by external geopolitical interests, particularly those of Algeria.
In this context, Morocco continues to strengthen its diplomatic presence in the region, gaining explicit support from several countries for its autonomy initiative. These advances are part of a comprehensive strategy led by King Mohammed VI, aimed at consolidating Moroccan sovereignty over its southern provinces while promoting the economic and social development of these territories.
The question remains: with the gradual withdrawal of its historical supporters in Latin America and beyond, what future lies ahead for the Polisario and its primary backer, Algeria?
