In the early weeks of her presidency, Keiko Fujimori has taken decisive steps to articulate her foreign policy, particularly concerning Morocco’s territorial integrity. This shift comes in the wake of a congratulatory visit from the Moroccan ambassador to Peru, Amine Chaoudri, who delivered a message from King Mohammed VI, marking a significant moment in Peru-Morocco relations.
Support for Morocco's Autonomy Initiative in the Sahara
During a recent meeting with the Moroccan ambassador in Lima, President Fujimori announced her government’s formal support for Morocco's autonomy plan concerning the Sahara. This decision is aligned with a broader commitment to uphold UN Security Council Resolution 2797, which recognizes Morocco's initiative as a framework for resolving the long-standing regional dispute. In a letter presented to Fujimori, King Mohammed VI congratulated her on her election and expressed his desire to strengthen relations between Morocco and Peru, emphasizing a partnership based on mutual respect and shared values.
A Clear Departure from Previous Policies
The stance of President Fujimori marks a significant departure from the policies of her predecessors, who often exhibited ambiguity regarding the Sahara issue or leaned towards supporting the Polisario Front. Historically, Peru’s support for the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) dates back to President Fernando Beláunde Terry’s administration in the 1980s. This support was further solidified by Alan García’s government in the late 1980s but was later suspended by Alberto Fujimori in 1996. For over two decades, subsequent administrations maintained a similar stance, until the brief presidency of Pedro Castillo, who attempted a diplomatic rapprochement with the Polisario Front. His successor, Dina Boluarte, preserved this ambiguity, neither fully endorsing Morocco’s plan nor formally recognizing the Polisario Front. President Fujimori’s administration, however, promises a return to a clear support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, aligning Peru’s foreign policy with Morocco’s territorial integrity and its autonomy plan.
Furthermore, this shift in Peru's diplomatic approach coincides with Morocco’s intensified diplomatic efforts in Latin America, a region where the Polisario Front had previously garnered substantial support. Morocco has actively pursued economic, cultural, and academic partnerships in the area, establishing itself as a key player in fostering relations between Africa, Europe, and the Arab world. This strategic outreach has led several countries, including Colombia and Guatemala, to withdraw their recognition of the SADR, thus reshaping the geopolitical landscape in favor of Morocco.
As reported by atalayar.com.
