As Ecuador did earlier in the year, Panama has also jettisoned its 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. On Thursday, the Republic of Panama decided to suspend its diplomatic relations with SADR.

“In accordance with the rules of international law, the government of Panama has decided to suspend, as of today (Thursday), diplomatic relations” with the so-called ‘SADR’, the Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

 “The Republic of Panama, giving priority to the national interest and in accordance with the fundamental principles of its foreign policy, reaffirms its conviction in the objectives and values that guide multilateralism and reiterates its willingness to continue supporting the efforts of the Secretary-General and the international community, within the framework of the United Nations, to achieve a peaceful, just, lasting and acceptable solution for the parties” involved in the Sahara issue, the statement added.

 The Republic of Panama “reaffirms its commitment to dialogue and multilateral cooperation, in full compliance with a constructive foreign policy aimed at strengthening international peace and security,” the same source pointed out.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has called on the United Nations to assume responsibility and spell out the major difference between the real, legitimate world – represented by Morocco in its Sahara.

The monarch made the call at the 49^th anniversary of the glorious Green March – an annual event that celebrates Moroccans’ march against the Spanish colonization of Morocco’s southern provinces.

The Green March was a mass demonstration in November 1975, coordinated by the Moroccan government and military, to force Spain to hand over the disputed, autonomous semi-metropolitan Province of Spanish Sahara to Morocco.

In a speech delivered on Wednesday, King Mohammed VI recalled that the peaceful, popular march enabled Morocco to recover the Moroccan Sahara.

“It also strengthened the bond between that region’s inhabitants and their motherland.”

Since then, Morocco has been able to establish tangible facts on the ground as well as an irreversible reality rooted in law, legitimacy, commitment and responsibility, as evidenced by the following:

 “Firstly: the strong attachment of our sons and daughters in the Sahara to their Moroccan identity, and their commitment to the nation’s sacred, immutable values, in keeping with the bond of the Bei’a, which has existed throughout history between the inhabitants of the Sahara and the kings of Morocco.

 “Secondly: the progress, security and stability existing in the Moroccan Sahara.

 “Thirdly: growing international recognition of the Sahara as a Moroccan territory, and the broad support the Autonomy Initiative has been receiving.”

Continuing, the monarch remarked that “parallel to this natural, legitimate situation, there is, sadly, another world disconnected from reality – a world still feeding on the illusions of the past and clinging to outdated theories and claims:

 “As a result, there are some who demand a referendum, despite that option being discarded by the United Nations and the impossibility of implementing it; at the same time, the proponents of that position refuse to allow a census of the people detained in the Tindouf camps, using them as hostages, keeping them in deplorable, humiliating conditions, and depriving them of the most basic rights.

 “And some exploit the Sahara issue to secure access to the Atlantic Ocean.

“To them I say this: We do not refuse such as a prospect. As everyone knows, Morocco has proposed an international initiative to facilitate the Sahel countries’ access to the Atlantic Ocean, within the framework of partnership and cooperation. The aim being to achieve shared progress for the benefit of all peoples in the region.

 And there are those who exploit the Sahara issue to deflect attention from their many internal problems.

 “Still, others seek to manipulate certain legal aspects in order to serve narrow political goals.

 “To them as well, I say this: Morocco’s partnerships and legal obligations will never be at the expense of its territorial integrity or its national sovereignty.”

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI became one of the first world leaders to congratulate Donald J. Trump following his election as President of the United States of America for a new term.

He expressed to Trump, his best wishes for every success in his presidential duties and endeavours to serve the American people.  

The Moroccan monarch recalls the historic alliance and strategic partnership between his kingdom and the United States, which King Mohammed VI says has withstood the test of time.

“The values we have in common and our shared interests across a wide range of sectors have enabled us to consistently work together towards building a better future for our peoples, making our relationship a driving force for peace, security and prosperity in the Middle East, Africa and beyond.”

King Mohammed expressed that Trump’s resounding success in the American Presidential Election is a tribute to his patriotism and rewards his continued commitment to upholding the best interests of the United States, “our longstanding friend and ally”.

The monarch recalled that during the previous tenure of Trump, bilateral ties reached an unprecedented level when the United States of America recognized the Kingdom of Morocco’s full sovereignty over its entire territory in the Sahara, underlining that this memorable act, for which the Moroccan people will be forever grateful, was a milestone and a pivotal moment, reflecting “the true depth of the special, longstanding relationship which holds the promise of even greater cooperation and a broader strategic partnership.

“As we address an array of increasingly complex regional and global challenges, the Kingdom of Morocco will be, more than ever, a true friend and loyal ally of the United States,” the Sovereign wrote, voicing His determination to work closely with Trump to “advance our shared interests and further enhance our unique alliance across all levels of cooperation.”