The government of Panama has expressed its support for Morocco's sovereignty over its entire national territory. This affirmation was made through a joint communiqué issued after a bilateral meeting between Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his Panamanian counterpart, Javier Eduardo Martínez-Acha Vásquez, on September 21 in New York. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The joint statement emphasized that Panama's embassy in Morocco exercises full consular competencies over the entire Moroccan territory. This extension of consular competencies is seen as a de facto recognition of Moroccan sovereignty. The statement also described the 2007 autonomy plan as the only serious, credible, and realistic basis for resolving the Sahara dispute. This position aligns with Morocco's efforts to garner international support for its stance on the Sahara issue.
The development is part of a broader diplomatic sequence. Chile and Cabo Verde have also expressed similar support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara during the same UN General Assembly session. Morocco is seeking to consolidate this support ahead of the October 31 deadline, when the UN Security Council is set to renew the mandate of the UN mission for organizing a referendum in the Sahara.
The previous vote on the issue, which took place in October 2025, resulted in a resolution that was adopted with 11 favorable votes and three abstentions. Algeria, a key player in the Sahara dispute, did not participate in the vote. The position of the US administration on this issue has not been made public, but efforts are underway to advance the political process before the upcoming vote.
Nasser Bourita held meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs during his visit to New York. These meetings reflect Morocco's ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the Sahara issue. The recognition by Panama is seen as a significant development in this context.
The joint communiqué with Panama highlighted the excellent state of bilateral relations between the two countries. This recognition of Moroccan sovereignty is expected to have implications for the international dynamics surrounding the Sahara dispute. Morocco has been seeking to strengthen its international support base on this issue.
The upcoming UN Security Council vote on the renewal of the UN mission's mandate in the Sahara will be closely watched. The recognition by Panama, along with recent expressions of support from Chile and Cabo Verde, may influence the voting dynamics. The international community remains engaged on this long-standing issue, with various stakeholders seeking a peaceful and sustainable resolution.
Key points
- Panama affirms support for Morocco's sovereignty over its national territory
- The 2007 autonomy plan is described as the only serious, credible, and realistic basis for resolving the Sahara dispute
- Morocco seeks to consolidate international support ahead of the October 31 UN Security Council vote
