Portugal Considers Shift on Western Sahara Sovereignty

Will Portugal soon join the list of countries that already recognize the Moroccanness of the Sahara? In a draft resolution debated in the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Portuguese Communities, Chega deputy Diogo Pacheco Amorim recommends that the government "immediately recognize the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over the territory of Western Sahara and cease all forms of contact with the self-proclaimed ’Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic’ (Polisario Front), urging it to lay down its arms and participate with Rabat in a purely peaceful negotiation process." He explains that his proposal aims to defend "the permanent interests of the Portuguese state" with Morocco, "an indispensable historical friend." His vote will take place in the plenary session of the Assembly of the Republic.

Until now, Portugal had adopted a neutral position. According to the Portuguese authorities, the conflict in Western Sahara should be resolved on the basis of the referendum on the self-determination of the territory decided and signed by the parties, with the approval of the United Nations, in 1991, which has never been carried out. During a recent visit to Portugal by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel addressed the issue. According to him, the Moroccan proposal to grant greater autonomy to Western Sahara, but under the sovereignty of the King of Morocco, is the "most serious, credible and constructive basis" for a solution to the conflict. The position of Lisbon, which I announced to my Moroccan counterpart, will always have to take place "under the aegis of the UN, whatever the solution that comes to be adopted," added the Portuguese Foreign Minister.

During the debate in the parliamentary committee, the Socialist Pedro Delgado Alves drew an analogy with the self-determination of East Timor and the Portuguese position in this process. The Chega proposal is "totally out of step with the position of the Portuguese state towards the conflict in Western Sahara." "This comparison is new for the PS," said PSD’s Paulo Neves, adding that the Socialists had never defended it when they were in power. Portugal has had "a very balanced and rigorous position in defending the interests of Morocco, the Maghreb and also the interests" of Portugal, the Social Democrat argued, stressing that it has also maintained contacts with the Polisario Front.