Morocco has strengthened its international position on the Sahara issue with new backing from three Pacific island states, highlighting the success of its long-term diplomatic strategy.
On the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Micronesia, Palau, and Papua New Guinea officially affirmed their recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and expressed support for Rabat’s autonomy initiative.
The announcements, made by the foreign ministers of the respective countries, mark a significant expansion of Morocco’s diplomatic influence beyond Africa and the Caribbean.
In recent years, Rabat has actively pursued recognition of its claims, notably through the opening of consulates in Laayoune and Dakhla by several African and Caribbean nations.
Each new diplomatic presence in these cities has served as both a symbol of recognition and a political lever for Morocco, reinforcing its international standing on the contested territory.
“These statements are not the result of chance.
They are the result of patient work undertaken over years,” said analysts, describing Morocco’s approach as akin to a gardener seeing the first flowers bloom after a long season of careful cultivation.
The recent support from the Pacific extends the momentum set by Paraguay’s recognition, demonstrating Morocco’s intention to broaden its base of international allies. Each new supporter strengthens Rabat’s position in multilateral forums, particularly at the UN, where the Sahara question remains one of the most sensitive geopolitical issues.
Discussions with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita underline how Rabat has successfully transformed bilateral relations into instruments of legitimization.
For a kingdom engaged in a protracted diplomatic campaign, the backing of distant nations such as Micronesia, Palau, and Papua New Guinea underscores the global reach of its strategy and its determination to shape international opinion on the Sahara.
This expansion of Morocco’s diplomatic influence illustrates a calculated, long-term effort to secure recognition and reinforce its sovereignty claims in one of the most enduring territorial disputes in the region.
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