Ecuador has announced its withholding of the recognition of the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), a breakaway political entity established by the Polisario Front.

The SADR claims to represent the Western Sahara region in southern Morocco. It was established in 1983 and opened an embassy in Ecuador in 2009.

Ecuador’s Foreign Minister, Gabriela Sommerfeld, conveyed the decision to her Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, during a phone call.

She also confirmed that a notification letter had been sent to the so-called representation of the separatists in Quito.

This decision aligns with the momentum driven by Morocco’s monarch,  King Mohammed VI in recent years.

King Mohammed VI has made great strides to enshrine the Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and the Autonomy Plan as the sole basis for resolving this regional dispute.

Ecuador’s decision to suspend its recognition of the SADR, opens a new chapter in relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and this Latin American country.

The President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Andrew Ginther, has hailed the wisdom of Morocco’s monarch, King Mohammed VI for his focus on the cities of Morocco,  particularly in the Moroccan Sahara.

 “The wisdom of His Majesty to focus on the cities of Morocco, the development of the cities throughout Morocco, particularly in the Sahara, is exemplary,” Ginther told the press following his meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita on Tuesday.

 The visit by the delegation of American mayors, which falls within the framework of the twinning agreements between the American cities of Arlington and Columbus with Laayoune and Dakhla respectively, is “a great opportunity to witness firsthand the progress achieved in Morocco under the leadership of HM the King,” noted Ginther, who is also mayor of Columbus, Ohio.

 “Our visit will also take us to the Moroccan Sahara, where two MoUs will be signed with the cities of Dakhla and Laayoun,” he stated.

 Recalling that the U.S. officially recognizes Morocco’s full sovereignty over its Sahara, Ginther said that he was “looking forward” to meeting with elected officials from the region to “hear about the Autonomy Plan and explore ways and means to collaborate.”

 The U.S. delegation discussed the importance of local cooperation and development with Bourita, Ginther said, adding that Morocco “is America’s oldest friend and we’re pleased to reaffirm today our strategic relationship.”

 In this respect, he said that promoting cooperation is” essential” for strengthening bilateral relations between the Kingdom and the U.S. as it promotes “innovative, community driven solutions for shared challenges.”

 For his part, Jim Ross, Mayor of Arlington, Texas, pointed out that the American delegation’s visit was intended to “help nurture the wonderful relationship” between the United States and Morocco.

 “Those relationships give us an opportunity to be better together. That’s what we believe as part of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and as Mayors,” he said.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, on Monday reaffirmed the “immense value” the EU places on its strategic partnership with Morocco.

 “The 27 [member states] wish to deepen the partnership between Morocco and the EU, which is a long-term, extensive, and profound partnership,” stated the EU High Representative during a press conference presenting the conclusions of the EU Foreign Affairs Council held in Luxembourg.

 “We have established friendly relations and multi-faceted cooperation with Morocco, and we wish to continue and strengthen it in the coming months,” he assured.

He added that EU foreign ministers took note of the European Court of Justice rulings on the EU-Morocco fisheries and agricultural agreements.

 In this regard, the EU’s chief diplomat reiterated the content of the joint statement with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, reaffirming the EU bloc’s commitment to further preserving and strengthening close relations with Morocco in all areas, in line with the principle of ‘pacta sunt servanda.’

 “In close cooperation with Morocco, the EU wishes to strengthen these relations and preserve this partnership in all areas,” he concluded.