Morocco's Sahara quest receives Russian diplomatic support

Wednesday 15 January 2025 - 16:45

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco's Sahara quest receives Russian diplomatic support

Russia has pledged its assistance to Morocco in finding a resolution to the Sahara territorial dispute, as announced by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during his annual diplomatic review press conference. His statements highlighted Russia's commitment to fostering a mutually agreeable solution while emphasizing the complexities of the long-standing territorial issue.

The Foreign Minister underscored the friendly relations between Russia and Morocco, noting their shared diplomatic objectives. "Morocco is a friendly country. We have good plans. We are assisting Moroccans in addressing issues within the competence of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, particularly the issue of Sahara," Lavrov stated.

Emphasizing the importance of inclusive dialogue, Lavrov cautioned against unilateral approaches to resolving the dispute. He stressed that such complex territorial matters require consensus-building rather than imposed solutions, warning that unilateral decisions could lead to future instability.

The Russian diplomat referenced the United Nations Security Council's four-decade-old mandate regarding Sahara's status, which called for resolution through self-determination. Lavrov noted that despite this long-standing framework, progress has remained elusive.

In his remarks, Lavrov also expressed criticism of former U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the southern territories. Drawing a parallel to Trump's statements about the Panama Canal, the Foreign Minister suggested that such unilateral diplomatic moves risk creating further regional tensions and potential conflicts.

The press conference, reported by Russian news agency TASS, reinforced Russia's position that lasting solutions to territorial disputes must emerge from mutual agreement rather than unilateral actions by external powers.