Peru withdraws recognition of Polisario’s SADR

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
19 Aug 2022 12:54

Lima decides to withdraw the recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic following pressure from Rabat.

Peru's Foreign Ministry

Peru's government announced Thursday its decision to withdraw its recognition of the Polisario Front’s Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), Morroco World News reported.

In a press release, Peru’s Ministry of Foreign announced that "in the absence of an effective bilateral relationship to date, the Government of the Republic of Peru decides to withdraw the recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and to break all relations with this entity."

The Ministry said the decision comes following talks between Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Miguel Angel Rodríguez Mackay and his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita.

It also indicated that it notified the United Nations of its decision, "citing its official endorsement of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the only credible and serious basis to end the dispute over Western Sahara," Morroco World News mentioned.

According to the news website, "Many Peruvian MPs have been emphasizing support for Morocco’s territorial integrity. In 2021, Peruvian MP Martha Chavez Cossio reaffirmed Peru’s support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, stressing the need for a compromised-based political solution in line with UN resolutions."

The decision comes just 11 months after diplomatic relations were reestablished under leftist President Pedro Castillo.

Peru first withdrew its recognition of Polisario’s SADR in 1996. In September 2021, Lima restored its relations with Polisario.

According to the Polisario Front, "The United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, the International Court of Justice, the European Court of Justice and all regional organizations do not recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara."

On the other hand, Peru's neighboring country, Colombia, announced on August 10 the re-establishment of diplomatic ties with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic a few days after the inauguration of left-wing President Gustavo Petro.

Washington supports Morocco's autonomy plan

In early March, the United States expressed support for Morocco's autonomy plan in Western Sahara.

During a visit to Rabat, US Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, said, "We continue to view Morocco's autonomy plan as serious, credible and realistic."

Recognition of "sovereignty" in exchange for normalization

It is noteworthy that former US President Donald Trump's administration recognized Morocco's "sovereignty" over Western Sahara in exchange for normalization with "Israel".

The Polisario Front has fought with Morocco since the 1970s over the control of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony that was later transferred to the control of Morocco and Mauritania.

A UN-brokered ceasefire deal was reached in 1991 and the UN Security Council voted in favor of holding a referendum to define the status of the territory, but Moroccan authorities have since opposed any vote that includes independence as an option, supporting the idea of limited autonomy only.