Russia Signals Shift on Western Sahara, May Recognize Moroccan Sovereignty

The Russian agency Sputnik used the term "separatist front" to designate the Polisario Front in one of its analytical reports. This linguistic and political change leaves room for several interpretations: will Russia, which has so far displayed a neutral position, follow in the footsteps of the United States, France and Spain by recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara? The article recently published by the Russian agency Sputnik, which described the Polisario Front as a "separatist front", cannot be read as a simple passing event, but as a thoughtful signal that could mark the beginning of a strategic change in Moscow’s position regarding the conflict, comments Moroccan expert Ahmed Nourreddine to the Al3omk website.

According to his explanations, official press agencies in all countries do not act independently of the state’s political orientations, but are considered an extension of their foreign policy, which makes the adoption of terms favorable to the Moroccan position a calculated political message issued by the Kremlin. This media signal does not come out of nowhere, but is the direct product of a pressing geopolitical context that the Kremlin is experiencing, the expert emphasized.

The growing isolation imposed by Western sanctions, the weakening of its traditional allies in the Middle East, and the urgent need to secure new economic and strategic partnerships are pushing Russia to reevaluate its network of alliances. In this process of seeking new allies, Morocco emerges as an essential partner, believes the expert in international relations.

Russia has an interest in turning to the kingdom. The Nador West Med port project offers Vladimir Putin’s country an opportunity to establish a strategic stock of cereals and energy to secure its exports to Africa, thus bypassing disruptions in the Black Sea and the Western blockade. This strategic position, as a gateway to the Atlantic and to the depths of the African continent, added to Morocco’s political stability, international credibility, and solid alliances, make it a reliable partner capable of playing complex roles, notes Nourreddine.