By: Julius Konton
The Republic of Ecuador has reaffirmed its strong support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative for the Moroccan Sahara, describing the 2007 proposal as the only serious, credible, and realistic basis for resolving the long-running regional dispute.
The announcement came Friday in a Joint Communiqué issued in Rabat following high-level talks between Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, and Gabriela Sommerfeld, Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, who is on an official working visit to the Kingdom.
The statement marks a significant diplomatic development as Morocco continues to consolidate international backing for its autonomy plan, which seeks to grant broad self-governance to the Sahara region under Moroccan sovereignty.
Ecuador Welcomes UN Resolution 2797
Ecuador also welcomed the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797 (2025), which reaffirmed support for a pragmatic and mutually acceptable political solution to the dispute.
According to the communiqué, Quito considers autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the most feasible pathway toward ending decades of political deadlock in the region.
The dispute over the Sahara has remained one of North Africa’s longest unresolved geopolitical issues since 1975, drawing continued attention from the international community and the United Nations.
Support for UN Political Process
Both nations reiterated their backing for the efforts of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Sahara and emphasized the need to accelerate the UN-led political process aimed at achieving a definitive and lasting settlement.
Diplomatic analysts view Ecuador’s position as another signal of growing international preference for practical compromise solutions rather than prolonged stalemate.
Ecuador Extends Consular Reach to Moroccan Sahara
In a move carrying diplomatic significance, Ecuador announced its decision to extend its consular reach to the Moroccan Sahara, in accordance with international law.
The development aligns with a broader trend of countries increasing their official presence in the region, where more than two dozen nations have opened consular representations in recent years in cities such as Dakhla and Laayoune.
Observers say such moves strengthen Morocco’s diplomatic standing and reinforce international recognition of the Kingdom’s administrative presence in the territory.
Economic Opportunities Toward Africa
Beyond diplomacy, Ecuador expressed strong interest in promoting trade and investment opportunities in the Moroccan Sahara, seeing the region as a gateway to African markets.
Officials highlighted prospects in:
Agriculture and agribusiness
Fisheries and marine industries
Renewable energy
Logistics and port services
Infrastructure development
Cross-continental trade partnerships
The Sahara region, particularly Dakhla, has emerged as one of Morocco’s fastest-growing investment hubs, supported by large-scale infrastructure projects and expanding trade routes linking Europe, Africa, and Latin America.
Ambassadorial Visit Planned
Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld also announced that Ecuador’s ambassador to Rabat will soon visit the Sahara region to prepare and support several economic initiatives aimed at boosting bilateral cooperation.
The visit is expected to pave the way for Ecuadorian private-sector participation in new commercial ventures and deepen Quito’s engagement with Morocco’s southern provinces.
Growing Latin American Momentum
Ecuador’s endorsement adds to a growing number of Latin American and global partners that have recently backed Morocco’s autonomy initiative, reflecting shifting diplomatic momentum around one of Africa’s most sensitive territorial disputes.
For Morocco, the announcement represents another strategic victory in its sustained campaign to rally international support for a negotiated solution based on sovereignty, stability, and regional development.
A New Chapter in Morocco–Ecuador Relations
Friday’s communiqué also signals a broader strengthening of ties between Rabat and Quito, combining diplomacy with trade, investment, and South-South cooperation.
As Morocco expands its role as a bridge between Africa, Europe, and Latin America, Ecuador appears poised to become a key new partner in that evolving geopolitical landscape.
