Peruvian Congress calls on President Dina Boluarte to rethink position on Sahara

Peruvian Congress calls on President Dina Boluarte to rethink position on Sahara
Thursday 24 August 2023 - 09:55

The Sahara issue has taken center stage within the current Peruvian Congress as the legacy of Pedro Castillo’s position becomes a pressing concern, after a sixteen-month tenure marked by tumultuous governance and ministerial shifts.

Of the contentions is Pedro Castillo’s stance on the Western Sahara matter, who leaned favourably towards the Polisario Front. This diplomatic alignment thrust Peru into a bitter crisis with its longstanding ally, Morocco. The tensions persist even after Castillo’s arrest and removal from power.

In a letter directed to Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, Patricia Chirinos, Chairwoman of the Peruvian Congress Defence Committee, implored the head of state to swiftly reassess Peru’s position on the Western Sahara issue.

Chirinos pressed for a dissociation of Peru from the SADR, considering the shared history and interests between Peru and Morocco. Notably, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI’s groundbreaking 2004 visit to Peru marked a turning point in bilateral relations.

Chirinos underscored the urgency of reestablishing harmonious relations between Rabat and Lima, especially as the nations approach the significant milestone of sixty years of uninterrupted bilateral ties.

The historical tensions stemming from Peru’s recognition of the SADR in 1984 were acknowledged, but the suspension of this recognition in 1996 marked a potential opening for enhanced cooperation.

Miguel Angel Rodriguez Mackay, former Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, echoed the sentiments of Congress. He advocated for Peru to emulate the pragmatic stance taken by prominent nations like the United States, Spain, and Israel, which recently recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara.

Ricardo Sanchez Serra, Vice-President of the Federation of Peruvian Journalists, echoed Chirinos’ plea through a supportive tweet. In his column, Sanchez Serra deplored Peru’s alignment with a group he considered a terrorist entity with human rights violations, urging the country to prioritize bolstering relations with Morocco and pursuing a positive-neutral stance within the UN regarding Morocco’s territorial integrity.

add your comment

Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.

Politics
🔴  Morocco election 2026 live tracker: Benabdallah says talks with El Mansouri show 'deep alignment'
Tuesday 6 October 2026 - 12:03

🔴 Morocco election 2026 live tracker: Benabdallah says talks with El Mansouri show 'deep alignment'

Politics
PAM led Moroccan parties in Facebook interactions before election campaign
Monday 5 October 2026 - 22:39

PAM led Moroccan parties in Facebook interactions before election campaign

International
Spain’s main unions plan 24-hour general strike over housing costs
Monday 5 October 2026 - 20:53

Spain’s main unions plan 24-hour general strike over housing costs

News
Thunderstorms to continue across southern Morocco, Atlas and Rif regions
Monday 5 October 2026 - 20:02

Thunderstorms to continue across southern Morocco, Atlas and Rif regions