Members of the Colombian Senate expressed their condemnation of their government’s recognition of the so-called Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR,) labeling it a nonexistent entity.
The senators, who recently were on an official visit to Morocco’s southern regions, shed light on the aspects of major social and economic development as well as the security and stability that the region enjoys.
“We closely witnessed the aspects of major social and economic development in this region, as well as the peace, security, and tranquility enjoyed by its inhabitants, which directly contradicts the unfortunate situation of the Tindouf camps,” stated three members of the Senate.
German Blanco Alvarez, President of the Colombia-Morocco Friendship Group in the Colombian Senate, along with Paola Holguin Moreno and José Luis Pérez Oyuela–members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs–signed off on the statement that was published on the Senate’s official website.
“Since the beginning of our visit and during our presence in the desert, we wondered where this state with which the current Colombian government established diplomatic ties is, if this state even exists at all,” said the senators.
The legislators expressed that their visit enabled them to become acquainted with the southern regions of Morocco, thereby dispelling misconceptions about the area. They confirmed the presence of Moroccan institutions and authorities, reinforcing the fact that it is an integral part of Morocco.
The senators emphasized that the visit aims to reinforce Colombian-Moroccan amicability that has existed for nearly half a century, and also to reiterate their support for Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as expressed through the two motions presented to the Senate of the Republic in October, 2022 and November, 2023.
They also recalled that they held meetings with fruitful results with Speaker of the Upper House, Enaam Mayara and Speaker of the Lower House, Rachid Talbi El Alami, as well as with President of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs (CORCAS), Khalihenna Ould Errachid.
The Colombian senators pointed out that the United Nations does not recognize the self-proclaimed “SADR,” nor do 85% of its member countries. In addition, over the past few decades, more than 60 countries worldwide have withdrawn their recognition of this separatist movement.
In the same light, they recalled that almost 40% of African countries have opened consulates there, expressing their firm support for Morocco’s sovereignty and unity.
“Morocco, as a founding member of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), today known as the African Union (AU), exercises great leadership in Africa, focusing its efforts on the continent’s development, peace and security, which are also fundamental issues for all our countries,” read the statement.
The Colombian Senate reiterated unconditional support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Morocco through a motion that was adopted last month and signed by 65 senators out of the 105 currently serving.
The signatories emphasized that they were also impressed by Morocco’s excellent tourism infrastructure and the way the country has managed to preserve its identity, proud and lengthy history, and cultural diversity, while simultaneously utilizing all the modernities of air, land, and sea travel to become one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.