Colombian Congress Rallies Behind Morocco's Western Sahara Position
Doha – Colombian Congress President Efraín Cepeda has reinforced his legislature's backing for Morocco's Western Sahara position, expressing strong disagreement with President Gustavo Petro's support for the Polisario Front during a meeting with Moroccan Ambassador Farida Loudaya on Thursday.
The congressional opposition to Petro's position has been consistent since the president's initial decision in August 2022, when sixty-two out of 108 senators voted against restoring diplomatic ties with Polisario.
The petition, read by Senate Secretary General Gregorio Eljach Pacheco in October 2022, explicitly rejected the Ministry of Foreign Relations' decision to revive a 1985 joint statement with the separatist group.
Cepeda blazoned that Petro's recognition of the separatist group was rejected by over 70% of the Colombian Senate, exposing the significant divide between the executive and legislative branches on this issue.
'That recognition was rejected by more than seventy percent of the Senate of the Republic,' Cepeda stated during the meeting.
The Congress president also elevated the importance of strengthening bilateral relations with Morocco, pointing to substantial trade ties between the two countries.
Official data shows that bilateral trade reached $350 million in 2022, with Colombia exporting coal, coffee, and chemical products while Morocco increased its supply of fertilizers and agricultural products to the Colombian market.
Cepeda questioned the impact of the Colombian government's stance on its stated goal of strengthening ties with Africa.
'When the President has said that he wants to strengthen relations with Africa, with this treatment to the Kingdom of Morocco, what happens is that it tarnishes that future,' the congressman remarked, calling on the executive to 'reconsider' its position.
The congressional support for Morocco reflects a broader shift in South American diplomacy, with several countries moving away from supporting the separatist group.
Recent examples include Ecuador's suspension of recognition of the self-proclaimed 'SADR' in October 2024, followed by Panama's similar decision in November 2024.
This latest development comes amid strained diplomatic relations between Bogota and Rabat since Petro's decision to recognize the Polisario Front in 2022.
The tension has led to a suspension of bilateral dialogue, with Moroccan diplomatic sources confirming that 'everything has been frozen' since then.
The meeting was attended by key figures including Senators German Alcides Blanco Alvarez, president of the Colombia-Morocco Friendship Group, and Paola Andrea Holguin Moreno, member of the Foreign Relations Commission.
Both senators are among the 65 out of 105 Colombian senators who signed motions supporting Morocco's territorial integrity in November 2023.
At the time, the senators expressed deep frustration with the executive branch, stating that 'the government has once again turned a deaf ear not only to our motion of October 19, 2022, signed by 63 Senators representing nine political parties but also to our numerous calls for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco.'
The motion specifically denounced the government's 'ill-advised decision' to establish relations with Polisario's self-proclaimed SADR, stressing that it 'in no way represents the position of Colombians towards Morocco.'
At this latest meeting, Cepeda concluded, 'All support for the Kingdom of Morocco. We must continue strengthening these commercial relations that have been so important for both nations. Hopefully this government will reconsider,' reinforcing the legislature's position on maintaining strong ties with Morocco despite current executive policy. Tags: Colombia-Morocco RelationsTerritorial IntegrityWestern sahara
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
an hour ago
- Morocco World
World Bank Backs $350 Million Project to Transform Casablanca's Rail, Logistics Network
Rabat – The World Bank recently committed $350 million to finance a major overhaul of Greater Casablanca's transport and logistics system. The financing aims to enhance commuter rail operations and enhance the strength of Morocco's national railway company, the Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF), preparing it for long-term expansion. Morocco's urban population now reaches 60% and is expected to climb to 70% by 2050. Casablanca-Settat, the country's economic powerhouse, sits at the center of this urban boom. Cities already drive much of Morocco's economy and job creation, but residents face serious challenges like limited transport options in suburban neighborhoods, worsening traffic congestion, and pollution. Addressing these problems is vital for the future livability and economic potential of Moroccan cities. To meet this challenge, the Moroccan government has invested heavily in rail and public transit. The World Bank-sponsored new program, Service Intra-métropolitain Rapproché (SIR), aims to upgrade train station amenities and boost the number of passenger trains operating. This reduces journey times between main points to 45 minutes or less, providing greater access to employment opportunities and basic services for more people. The $350 million will be used to extend an electrified commuter rail network between central Casablanca and expanding suburbs such as Zenata, Mohammedia, Nouaceur, and Bouskoura. The project includes the renovation of 73-kilometer stretches of existing railway lines, electric infrastructure, and signaling equipment that would be resilient against the impacts of climate. It will alleviate congestion on existing lines and increase freight transportation capacity to Casablanca's port, an important commercial center. The project also aims to develop or upgrade 15 multimodal rail stations, with accessible design and development practices that promote transit riding. It aims to increase logistics activities, particularly in the Ain Sebaa industrial district, and enhance access to a new logistics park in Zenata. Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye, the World Bank's Maghreb and Malta Division Director, said the financing will enhance ONCF's management and operational abilities, helping the operator evolve into a publicly listed company focused on customer service. He described the project as a key step toward sustainable urban development and improved daily life for Casablanca residents. By mid-2031, the program expects to improve transport access for more than half a million people. It will raise the number of jobs reachable by rail within 45 minutes by seven percent and improve access to essential services by a similar margin. This investment marks a turning point in Casablanca's transport system, aiming to connect growing suburbs efficiently while reducing environmental impact and supporting economic growth across the region. Tags: morocco railwaysMorocco transportworld bankworld bank morocco
Ya Biladi
3 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
US Trade Commission launches second review in Morocco phosphate fertilizer case
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has announced it will conduct a second court-ordered remand review in the countervailing duty case involving phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco, reads a Federal Register document published on Tuesday. This follows an April 22, 2025 ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade, which again asked the Commission to better justify its finding that Moroccan and Russian imports harmed the U.S. domestic industry. The case dates back to March 2021, when the USITC first ruled that phosphate fertilizers from Morocco and Russia materially injured American producers. Morocco's OCP Group challenged the decision in court. Although the Commission reaffirmed its findings in January 2024 after a first remand, the court has now ordered a second review, with no new evidence allowed. Only parties that participated in both the original investigation and the appeal, including OCP, may submit written comments. The deadline for submissions is June 20, 2025.
Ya Biladi
3 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Morocco opens probe after hacker group claims breach of judicial website
Following claims by a hacker group reportedly based in Algeria that it breached the Ministry of Justice's IT systems and published two letterheaded screenshots from the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ), the King's Public Prosecutor at the Rabat Court of Appeal ordered on Tuesday the opening of a judicial investigation into reports of a cyberattack targeting the Council's website. In a statement, the Prosecutor confirmed that an investigation had been launched into the circulation of two administrative documents allegedly linked to the Council. The communiqué also noted that the case has been entrusted to the National Judicial Police Brigade. The breach, claimed by the group JabaRoot, was announced on Sunday. In a message posted on its Telegram channel, the group said it had obtained «very sensitive» data concerning Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi and the broader Moroccan judiciary. Just a week earlier, JabaRoot claimed responsibility for hacking Tawtik, the platform used to digitize notarial procedures in Morocco. The group published files and documents allegedly involving political figures in notarial transactions, raising significant alarm. Moroccan authorities have not yet issued an official response to the latest attack. While the authenticity of the leaked documents remains unverified, the growing wave of cyber intrusions is raising serious concerns about the security of Morocco's critical digital infrastructure.
