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Central American Parliament Reasserts Support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan for Sahara
Marrakech – The Central American Parliament (Parlacen) unanimously endorsed Morocco's autonomy initiative for Western Sahara during its General Assembly in San Salvador on Wednesday.
In its resolution, Parlacen declared 'support for the plan presented by Morocco as the only serious, pragmatic and credible solution to the conflict over the Sahara.' The regional body also solidified its backing for Morocco's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The regional parliamentary body urged the international community to support diplomatic and political efforts aimed at finding a definitive and peaceful solution to the artificially prolonged dispute. Parlacen stressed its responsibility to promote respect for international treaties governing state sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The endorsement coincided with the 10th anniversary of Morocco's membership as an observer in the regional group. Parlacen pointed to the close relations with Rabat, noting that this partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to political dialogue, parliamentary consultation, and promoting peace.
The resolution also commended Morocco's pioneering role in promoting international dialogue for peace under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
Mohamed Ould Errachid, president of Morocco's Chamber of Counselors, attended the opening of the Economic Parliamentary Forum on Investment and Development in San Salvador alongside Salvadoran Vice President Felix Ulloa.
During the event, Ould Errachid received a certificate acknowledging the role of the Chamber of Counselors in strengthening cooperation with Latin American parliaments. The certificate recognized the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the only solution to end the artificial, prolonged dispute over the Western Sahara.
This affirmation follows a visit by a Parlacen delegation to Morocco in April. The delegation, led by Parlacen President Carlos Hernandez, visited Laayoune, where they signed the 'Laayoune Declaration.'
This declaration lauded the new development model for Morocco's southern provinces and recognized the stability and prosperity of the region under the Moroccan monarch's leadership.
Parlacen's backing adds powerful momentum to the swelling tide of international support for Morocco's stance on Western Sahara. Across Central America and the Caribbean, nations are taking bold, concrete steps to uphold Morocco's territorial integrity.
The Dominican Republic proclaimed its 'firm support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara' during a meeting between Dominican President Luis Abinader and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in August 2024. At the time, Abinader stated that Morocco's Autonomy Plan is the 'only solution' to the dispute and announced plans to open a consulate in Dakhla.
El Salvador, which withdrew its recognition of the self-styled SADR in 2019, is discussing the possibility of opening a consulate in Laayoune. During a meeting in Ecuador in May, Salvadoran Vice President Felix Ulloa described this potential move as a 'key step' in recognizing Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces.
Panama has also strengthened ties with the North African country after suspending relations with the Polisario Front in November 2024. Following this decision, King Mohammed VI sent a message of gratitude to Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino Quintero.
In a subsequent video conference, Bourita and his Panamanian counterpart Javier Eduardo Martinez-Acha Vasquez voiced their mutual desire to revitalize bilateral relations. They agreed to promote cooperation in sectors including green development, energy transition, agriculture, food security, fisheries, and tourism.
Other countries follow suit
Currently, around 30 countries have opened consulates in Laayoune and Dakhla to demonstrate their support for Morocco's territorial integrity. Dakhla hosts consular representatives from 14 countries, while Laayoune has consulates from 12 countries, including Jordan, Bahrain, and the UAE.
The growing international alignment with Morocco signals a dramatic shift in the global understanding of the dispute, with 120 countries now recognizing the Autonomy Plan as a serious and credible political solution.
This includes important additions like Kenya, which had previously aligned with the fictional entity claiming the Sahara, but now considers the proposal 'the only sustainable approach for resolving the Sahara issue.'
The UK, long bound by a posture of neutrality, has now corrected its historical course—formally recognizing the legitimacy of Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara.
These diplomatic victories reveal the collapse of an outdated Cold War relic agenda that only Algeria and a dwindling number of countries continue to waste resources on, as the international community increasingly recognizes Morocco's legitimate sovereignty over its southern provinces. Tags: Autonomy Plan for the Saharacentral americaWestern sahara
