Peru breaks off relations with the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic

Different political figures, legislators, diplomats, activists, academics and journalists in Peru have applauded the decision of the Andean government headed by Dina Boluarte to suspend relations with SADR. Luis González Posada, former Peruvian Foreign Minister, confirmed to MAP that his government had just reversed a decision taken by its previous leader Pedro Castillo.  

Following petitions such as that of the president of the Congressional Defence Committee, Patricia Chirinos, the decision taken by Dina Boluarte has been described as a gesture of friendship towards Morocco and of support for the efforts of the UN (United Nations) to put an end to the fabricated conflict over the Moroccan Sahara.

The President of the Defence Committee recalled that international law grants the Moroccan Sahara a special status and affirmed that he is "systematically and constantly concerned by the question of the Moroccan Sahara". "The SADR is not a real entity, as it does not meet the fundamental conditions of a state, which is even more so if one considers that it lacks the recognition of important international organisations, such as the United Nations, the European Union, the Arab League countries or the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation," he said. 

Latin American observers point out that it is in line with the position of nations convinced of the importance of the national cause and Moroccan sovereignty over the "southern provinces" and that the solution to this conflict lies in an autonomy initiative described by many countries as the "most serious and credible" in the eyes of the world.  

The former Peruvian diplomat predicted that the suspension of his nation's links with the Polisario Front will mark the beginning of a new era in the historical and kinship links between Morocco and Peru, which next year will commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations. 

The Peruvian decision is in accordance with international law, adopted by the Republic of Peru, and opens new perspectives for bilateral cooperation not only between Rabat and Lima but also with the whole of Latin America, which is moving towards the clarification of the Western Sahara conflict, by supporting the Kingdom of Morocco, Luis Agüero Wagner, Paraguayan historian and academic of the Paraguayan Air Force Institute and author of a book entitled "The Moroccan Sahara beyond Western Sahara", told MAP agency.

Ricardo Sánchez Serra, vice-president of the Federation of Peruvian Journalists and specialist in international relations, for his part, considered that his nation had returned to normality in its foreign policy and international relations by breaking diplomatic ties with SADR. Sánchez Serra went on to say that "it was incomprehensible that the government of ex-coup leader Pedro Castillo, currently detained in Peru, should have followed ideological guidelines and recognised a non-existent entity". 

For her part, Marta Chávez, former president of the Peruvian Congress, stressed that the country's decision to break off diplomatic relations with SADR, "does justice to the permanent friendship that unites us and the Moroccan people".

Peru has always been respected in international fora, she continued, and "one cannot have diplomatic relations with an entity that is not recognised by institutions such as the United Nations, alleging that the "Polisario" is a separatist group that "does not represent the Saharawis and whose concern is to divert humanitarian aid funds and violate human rights in the Tindouf camps". Chávez regretted that the Castillo administration had been forgotten in history, but fortunately the new Peruvian administration respects Morocco's efforts to settle the dispute. 

For his part, Carlos Ernesto Bustamante, head of the parliamentary group for friendship between Peru and Morocco and in support of the Moroccan autonomy initiative in the Peruvian Congress, considered that the suspension of ties was a necessary measure. "We applaud Peru's decision on the Moroccan Sahara conflict, which will strengthen diplomatic, economic and cultural ties between Peru and Morocco, two nations that will commemorate next year the 60th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations," he continued. 

Human rights defender Juan Moraga from Chile, who also serves as leader of the NGO "Derechos Humanos Sin Fronteras", applauded the decision to cut off contact with SADR. According to Moraga, Peru's decision will allow public opinion to see the "damage that has been inflicted on the Saharawi people". 

America Coordinator: José Antonio Sierra.