A recent report issued by the United States Institute of Peace, a national, nonpartisan, and independent institute established by Congress, reveals a notable increase in the number of countries recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in recent years.
The report shows that 2020 witnessed a significant number of countries recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, including the United States of America, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and several Arab countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait.
In 2022, another group of countries joined the list of recognizing states, including African nations like Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and Senegal. The list also included Latin American countries such as Guatemala and Haiti, as well as Ukraine, Malta, and Zambia.
As for 2023, it saw the Dominican Republic, Israel, Cape Verde, and Iraq join the list of countries recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
In the latest developments, the report indicated that 2024 witnessed the recognition of Finland, France, Brazil, and Sierra Leone of Morocco’s sovereignty over the region.
The U.S. Institute of Peace emphasized in its report that this increasing recognition comes within the framework of international efforts to resolve the conflict in the region and achieve stability. The Institute also noted that it works in conflict zones around the world with local partners to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflicts, believing that a world without violent conflicts is possible and essential for American and global security.