Paraguay has reaffirmed its recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, further solidifying its position on the issue. Foreign Minister Rubén Darío Ramírez Lezcano made the announcement after meeting his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. This move is seen as a significant development in the diplomatic efforts between the two countries.
The reaffirmation builds on a position Asunción first made official a year earlier. In September 2025, during the 80th General Assembly, Ramírez Lezcano and Bourita held a similar meeting at which Paraguay formally recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and signaled its intent to open a consulate in the southern provinces. This intent was later fulfilled, with Paraguay opening a Consulate General in the southern provinces.
Paraguay's trajectory on the issue dates back to 2014, when Asunción broke with the Polisario's self-styled "SADR", withdrawing recognition of the self-proclaimed separatist entity. Since then, the country has hardened its alignment with Rabat, with a series of joint declarations and political consultations. This shift is part of a broader trend in Latin America, where countries are increasingly moving away from supporting the Polisario.
The move has been welcomed by Morocco, with Bourita crediting Paraguay's "firm and constant" backing of the Autonomy Plan. He described Paraguay as a reliable ally in Latin America and highlighted the country's growing engagement with the African continent. The two countries have also discussed bilateral commercial agreements to expand trade between them.
The relationship between Morocco and Paraguay has been framed as a strategic partnership, rooted in the vision of King Mohammed VI and President Santiago Peña. The two countries have opened discussions on deepening ties between Morocco and the MERCOSUR bloc through South-South cooperation. Trade is expected to feature prominently in these discussions.
Ramírez Lezcano tied the latest meeting to his recent working visit to Rabat, which gave fresh impetus to cooperation between the two countries. He voiced Paraguay's intention to raise the partnership to a higher level and explore new areas of cooperation. The meeting is seen as a significant step forward in the diplomatic efforts between Morocco and Paraguay.
The reaffirmation of Paraguay's support for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara is seen as a significant blow to the Polisario and its backers in Algiers. The move narrows the diplomatic space available to the Polisario and further isolates the self-proclaimed separatist entity.
Key points
- Paraguay reaffirms recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara
- The move is part of a broader trend in Latin America, where countries are increasingly moving away from supporting the Polisario
- Morocco and Paraguay have discussed bilateral commercial agreements to expand trade between them
