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As reported by Yabiladi in January 2024, the Republic of Panama has made a diplomatic U-turn in favor of Morocco, strengthening bilateral relations and breaking ties with the Polisario. On Thursday, Panama officially suspended diplomatic relations with the so-called «Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)».
A press release from the Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relayed by MAP, emphasized that «in accordance with the rules of international law, the Government of Panama has decided to suspend, as of today (Thursday), diplomatic relations» with the «SADR».
Latin America aligning with Morocco
«The Republic of Panama, prioritizing the national interest and faithful to the fundamental principles of its foreign policy, reaffirms its conviction of the objectives and values that guide multilateralism and reiterates its willingness to continue to support the efforts of the Secretary-General and the international community, within the framework of the United Nations, towards a peaceful, just, lasting solution acceptable to the parties», the statement declared.
The communiqué concluded that 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».
In just one month, Morocco has upended the diplomatic landscape in Latin America, a region that has long been a stronghold for the Polisario and its sponsor Algeria. However, Algerian press agencies and media have conspicuously avoided reporting on these developments, keeping the populations of the Tindouf camps and the Algerian public in the dark about consecutive diplomatic setbacks in Latin America. This contrasts with the high-profile ruptures with Spain and France, which were impossible to censor.
Panama's recent decision has a significant political symbolism. It is worth noting that Panama was the first country to recognize the self-proclaimed «SADR» and hosted what was the first so-called «embassy» the entity in Latin America, back in 1980.
On October 22, 2024—exactly one month ago—Ecuador took a similar decisive step by severing ties with the SADR. This week, Brazil, under Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, officially expressed support for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara. Who will follow next? Paraguay or Uruguay?
