Panama receives emissaries from Morocco and Polisario on the same day

The new Panamanian government formed by President José Raúl Mulino, in office since July 1, has no plans, at least in the short term, to review its relations with the Polisario.

Panama's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Javier Martínez-Acha, received «SADR ambassador» Ahmed Salek in Panama City on Wednesday, July 3, reports the Polisario press agency. «The two parties emphasized the need to promote and strengthen relations for the benefit of both peoples and both countries», says the same source.

On the same day, Martínez-Acha received the President of Morocco's Chamber of Councillors, Enaam Mayara, Panama's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on X. The Moroccan is on a working visit to Panama at the invitation of the President of the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (Parlatino), Rolando González Patricio.

On January 8, 2015, Panama resumed its recognition of the «SADR», after a suspension of almost two years. For the record, the previous Panamanian government had affirmed its «support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative» in the Sahara presented by the kingdom in 2007, as the «sole basis for a just and lasting solution» to the regional dispute.

The Panamanian government consequently undertook to «define its future action and take a position based on this declaration». This position was expressed on January 30 by the former head of diplomacy, Janaina Tewaney Mencomo, at the end of a bilateral meeting held by videoconference with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita.

Panama will occupy the seat of non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for a period of two years, from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026.