In a significant diplomatic move, the Republic of Chad inaugurated a new consulate office in the city of Dakhla, in Morocco’s far southern provinces, on Wednesday.
Marking a deepening of bilateral relations between Morocco and Chad, the opening of the consulate underscores Chad’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara.
The timing is also symbolic, coinciding with the anniversary of Morocco’s reclamation of Oued Eddahab from Mauritania in 1979, a historic event that solidified Moroccan control over its southern provinces.
The inauguration of the consulate is widely seen as a gesture of support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and its ongoing efforts to reclaim its sovereignty over the Sahara region.
The relationship between Morocco’s monarch, King Mohammed VI, and Chadian President Mohamed Idriss Déby Itno has been pivotal in fostering these stronger diplomatic ties.
The opening of the consulate is a testament to the growing cooperation between the two nations and is expected to further bolster political, economic, and cultural exchanges.
Chad joins a growing list of countries that have opened diplomatic missions in Moroccan Sahara cities, signaling increasing international recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the region.
This move also highlights the strategic importance of Dakhla as a key hub for trade, investment, and consular services in the region.
The consulate is poised to facilitate better support for Chadian citizens residing in or traveling through the Moroccan Sahara and will serve as a gateway for enhancing trade and cultural ties between the two nations.
It signals a broader trend of African solidarity with Morocco on the Sahara issue, reflecting the continent’s evolving geopolitical landscape, and is likely to influence regional dynamics in North Africa and beyond, according to international observers.