Ecuador Supports Morocco's Sovereignty Over Sahara

Ecuador has expressed its support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara region, according to a joint communiqué released after a meeting between Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Roberto Carlos Kury Pesantes in Rabat on November 9. The communiqué states that Ecuador considers the autonomy initiative presented by Morocco in 2007 as the only serious, credible, and realistic solution to achieve a just, durable, and mutually acceptable political settlement.

The Ecuadorian government views a genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the most feasible solution to resolve the dispute. This stance is in line with Ecuador's position at the diplomatic, economic, and consular levels. The communiqué highlights that Ecuador will concretize its support on a bilateral level, including a visit by its ambassador to Morocco in the Sahara region.

Ecuador's decision to support Morocco's sovereignty over Sahara is seen as a significant development in the region. The communiqué emphasizes that Ecuador will favor economic and commercial cooperation opportunities in the Moroccan Sahara, opening up promising prospects for the African continent. This move is expected to strengthen investment, trade, and productive development links between the two nations.

The joint communiqué comes after a series of diplomatic efforts by Morocco to gain international support for its claim to the Sahara region. The Moroccan government has been actively engaging with various countries to garner support for its autonomy initiative. Ecuador's backing is seen as a boost to Morocco's efforts to resolve the dispute.

The Sahara region has been a longstanding dispute between Morocco and the Polisario Front, a separatist group seeking independence. The United Nations has been involved in efforts to resolve the conflict, but a lasting solution has yet to be achieved. Morocco's autonomy initiative has gained support from several countries, including the United States and some European nations.

Ecuador's support for Morocco's sovereignty over Sahara is also seen as a reflection of the two countries' strong bilateral relations. The two nations have been working to strengthen their ties in various fields, including trade, investment, and culture. The visit by Ecuador's ambassador to Morocco in the Sahara region is expected to further solidify these relations.

The international community has been closely watching developments in the Sahara region, with many countries calling for a peaceful and negotiated solution to the dispute. Ecuador's support for Morocco's sovereignty over Sahara is likely to have implications for the region and may influence the stance of other countries on the issue.

Key points

• Ecuador supports Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara region and considers the autonomy initiative as the only serious solution to the dispute.