Ecuador has officially reaffirmed its support for Morocco's autonomy initiative regarding the Sahara region, recognizing it as the only viable, credible, and realistic resolution to the long-standing territorial dispute. This affirmation was articulated in a Joint Communiqué released in Rabat, following discussions between Ecuadorian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabriela Sommerfeld and her Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita during Sommerfeld's working visit to Morocco.
The Ecuadorian government also expressed its approval of UN Security Council Resolution 2797 (2025), which underscores that autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the most practical solution to resolve the ongoing regional conflict. Both nations reiterated their backing for the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for the Sahara and the efforts being made to advance the political process aimed at finding a definitive resolution to this dispute.
Moreover, the Joint Communiqué highlighted Ecuador's decision to extend its consular services into the Moroccan Sahara, aligning this move with international law. Ecuador is keen on fostering economic and trade cooperation opportunities in the region, which could open up promising avenues for enhancing trade and investment flows between the two nations, thereby benefiting their respective economic sectors and facilitating productive development.
In conjunction with these diplomatic efforts, Sommerfeld announced plans for Ecuador's ambassador to visit the Sahara region shortly to facilitate and support various economic initiatives. The Joint Communiqué also recognized the significant leadership role of King Mohammed VI in Africa, commending Morocco for its ambitious reforms that promote political, economic, and social development, ultimately contributing to the country’s stability and prosperity.
Further emphasizing regional integration, the Ecuadorian Foreign Minister praised several royal initiatives designed to enhance connectivity, including the African Atlantic States Process and the ambitious African-Atlantic Gas Pipeline project, both of which aim to stimulate economic growth and development along the African Atlantic coast.
During her visit, Sommerfeld, accompanied by a delegation from the private sector, held discussions with Morocco's Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, focusing on strengthening economic and trade relations between the two countries. She emphasized the positive trajectory of bilateral relations between Quito and Rabat, expressing Ecuador's eagerness to enter a new phase that prioritizes trade development.
The objective of this evolving partnership is to position Morocco as a strategic gateway for Ecuador into Africa, while simultaneously establishing Ecuador as a key ally for Morocco in Latin America. In response, Mezzour acknowledged the potential for integrating Ecuadorian products into African value chains through Moroccan channels, aiming to promote mutually beneficial projects between the two nations.
Both parties reiterated their commitment to establishing a lasting partnership that fosters economic growth and strengthens ties between Africa and Latin America.
As reported by northafricapost.com.
