A few days ago, the article, which emphasized the importance of opening a Consulate General of the Republic of the Gambia in the city of Dakhla, Moroccan Sahara was published. The article also claimed that the process could go along the chain and in 2020 more and more countries will decide to support the Kingdom of Morocco by strengthening its diplomatic presence in that part of the country.

Today we see the forecast coming true. Recently, Sao Tome and Principe, a country located in Central Africa, opened the Consulate General in El Aaiun, while the Central African Republic inaugurated a Consulate General in the same city. Therefore, it's one Honorary Consulate of Côte d'ivoire and 6 General Consulates: The Union of Comoros, the Gambia, Guinea, Gabon, Central African Republic, Sao tome and Principe, operating in the Moroccan Sahara. 

The opening of diplomatic missions in this region is accompanied by the decision of some countries to withdraw their recognition of the regime of the so-called “Sahara Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)”. The Central African Republic of Bolivia has decided to suspend all ties with the Polisario Front and support the efforts of the United Nations and the international community so that the parties can reach a fair, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution.

Such a policy is determined by interest in developing bilateral cooperation with Morocco in various sectors. The surprisingly favorable location with one of the top fastest growing economics in the world, the Kingdom of Morocco became a real gateway to the countries of Africa. This is the opinion of countries that see real benefits from enhanced cooperation with Morocco. The most important thing is that not only international but also regional support for the separatist movement of the Polisario Front is rapidly falling.

More recently, in December last year, Jamaica and Lesotho decided to suspend their diplomatic relations with the Polisario Front. Prior to this, El Salvador, Brazil, Chile, the Republic of Suriname and the Dominican Republic were included in the list of countries that support the position of the Kingdom and consider the Moroccan autonomy plan as a solution to the conflict in Western Sahara.

On January 22, the Moroccan Parliament approved the creation of two bills in the country, extending the sovereignty of the country over the territorial waters adjacent to the southern provinces of Morocco in Western Sahara, and established an exclusive economic zone of 200 miles. The laws update Morocco’s maritime legislation to UN standards and secure the sovereignty of the country over the maritime zone off the coast of Western Sahara, between the cities of Tarafay and Dakhla and near the Canary Islands belonging to Spain.

Universal recognition of Moroccan Sahara at the regional and global level and the beginning of full-scale cooperation is only a matter of time. Everything indicates precisely the development of such a scenario, and the sooner the Polisario Front understands this, the better. It is in their interests to resolve the dispute as soon as possible, putting priorities for the development of the region and improving people's lives, reducing the flow of refugees and establishing communication.

By Anastasia Lavrina

Leading Eurasian political analyst, international speaker and appears on television talks programs