And this isn’t a small diplomatic adjustment.
It’s a 180-degree turn.
On August 8, Colombia’s new government announced that it was withdrawing its recognition of the so-called Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara. The decision reversed the position adopted under former president Gustavo Petro, who had restored diplomatic relations with the RASD in 2022.
But what makes this story even more interesting…
Is what happened behind the announcement.
And one of the key figures explaining that diplomatic shift is Farida Loudaya, Morocco’s ambassador in Bogotá.
For years, Colombia had been moving in a direction that was increasingly uncomfortable for Rabat.
Under Petro, Bogotá restored relations with the RASD in 2022.
So Morocco suddenly found itself dealing with a Latin American country that had moved closer to the Polisario position.
Then…
The political situation changed in Colombia.
A new government arrived.
And with it came a complete review of the country’s foreign policy.
The result?
Bogotá decided to freeze its relations with the RASD and recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.
But this wasn’t presented simply as a symbolic diplomatic gesture.
Colombia also wants to deepen its relationship with Morocco economically and strategically.
Trade.
Investment.
Tourism.
Food security.
Infrastructure.
Atlantic connectivity.
And potentially even negotiations toward a free-trade agreement.
So this isn’t just about the Sahara.
The Sahara is at the center of the diplomatic breakthrough…
But there’s a much larger bilateral relationship being built around it.
And that’s where the role of Farida Loudaya becomes particularly interesting.
Diplomatic victories don’t normally happen because someone wakes up one morning and changes their mind.
They require years of meetings.
Political relationships.
Economic arguments.
Negotiations.
And, sometimes, waiting for the political environment in another country to change.
Morocco’s diplomatic strategy on the Sahara has increasingly focused on building relationships around the world while promoting the 2007 autonomy plan as its proposed framework for resolving the dispute.
Colombia’s decision now adds another important Latin American country to that changing diplomatic landscape.
And the timing is significant.
Because Colombia isn’t just any country.
It’s one of Latin America’s major political and economic powers.
And it currently holds a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, making its diplomatic positioning particularly relevant.
So when Bogotá changes its position…
Rabat pays attention.
Algiers pays attention.
The Polisario pays attention.
And so does the international community.
But let’s be precise.
This doesn’t mean the Western Sahara dispute is suddenly over.
It doesn’t.
The issue remains internationally disputed, and the United Nations continues to deal with it through its political process.
What changed is Colombia’s diplomatic position.
And that’s exactly why calling it a « turning point » makes sense.
Because four years ago…
Colombia moved toward the Polisario position.
Now…
It has moved in the opposite direction.
That’s a dramatic diplomatic reversal within a relatively short period.
And for Morocco, the message is clear:
Diplomacy isn’t only about winning one announcement.
It’s about building enough relationships that when political circumstances change…
You are ready.
That’s probably the most interesting lesson from this story.
Because behind every headline saying:
« Country X recognizes Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara »
there are usually months or years of diplomatic work that nobody sees.
Meetings nobody watches.
Negotiations nobody tweets about.
And ambassadors like Farida Loudaya working quietly in the background.
So yes…
Colombia’s decision is a major diplomatic development for Morocco.
But the bigger story may be what comes next.
Can Rabat transform this political breakthrough into stronger trade, investment and strategic cooperation with Bogotá?
Because if that happens…
Then this isn’t simply a diplomatic victory.
It becomes the foundation of a much larger Morocco–Colombia relationship.
One country changed its position.
One diplomatic relationship is being rebuilt.
And suddenly…
The map of Morocco’s international alliances looks a little different.
🇲🇦🌎 The real question is:
Was Colombia’s U-turn simply a diplomatic victory for Morocco on the Sahara… or the beginning of a completely new strategic relationship between Rabat and Bogotá?
