Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release on Tuesday, January 30th, highlighting a potential shift in Panama's position on the Western Sahara conflict. The release emphasizes a Joint Declaration signed during a videoconference meeting between Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his Panamanian counterpart, Janaina Tewaney Mencomo. Following Spain's similar move in March 2022, Panama's declaration expresses «support for the Autonomy Initiative» proposed by Morocco in 2007 as «the sole basis for a just and lasting solution» to the regional dispute. This could indicate a potential withdrawal of Panama's recognition of the «SADR», established in 2014. However, the press release cautions against undue optimism, citing Panama's history of «frequent procrastination» on the issue. The text recalls that in November 2013, Panama «suspended» its diplomatic relations with the «SADR», only to renew dialogue a year later and allow the separatist movement to reopen an «embassy» in Panama City in 2016.
