Paraguay Reiterates Strong Backing for Morocco’s Sovereignty over Sahara at IPU Meeting in Geneva

Geneva, 21 October 2025 (MAP) — In a reaffirmation of diplomatic solidarity, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay, Raúl Luís Latorre, restated his country’s unwavering support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its Southern Provinces, highlighting the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative as a fair and credible path forward in resolving the regional dispute.

Speaking to the press after his meeting with Mohamed Ould Errachid, Speaker of Morocco’s House of Councillors, on the sidelines of the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva, Latorre emphasized that Paraguay’s position on the Sahara issue remains “firm” and “unequivocal.” He described the Moroccan Sahara as an integral part of the Kingdom of Morocco.

“We discussed the solid and historic friendship between Paraguay and Morocco, and reiterated our support for the Kingdom’s territorial integrity,” Latorre stated. He was accompanied by a high-ranking parliamentary delegation, underscoring the importance Paraguay places on this partnership.

During the meeting, Latorre officially handed over a copy of the resolution unanimously adopted by Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies, which explicitly backs Morocco’s sovereignty and the Autonomy Initiative as the legitimate basis for resolving the dispute over the Sahara.

Ould Errachid, for his part, lauded Paraguay’s “clear, courageous, and consistent” stance. He recalled pivotal moments of Paraguay’s support, including the 2014 withdrawal of recognition of the so-called “sadr” (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic), as well as Paraguay’s ongoing endorsement of the Autonomy Initiative. He also welcomed the upcoming opening of a Paraguayan consulate in Morocco’s Southern Provinces as a significant diplomatic step.

The Moroccan official further praised the role of Paraguay’s legislative body, which has passed several pro-Moroccan resolutions, the most recent being in November 2024, reaffirming the Autonomy Initiative as the only practical solution to what he described as an “artificial” conflict.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to organize reciprocal parliamentary visits to deepen cooperation, particularly within the frameworks of South-South collaboration, MERCOSUR, and the Morocco-Latin America Economic Forum.

Also present at the meeting were key members of the Moroccan House of Councillors Bureau, including Miloud Masside (UMT), Mohammed Salem Benmassoud (UGTM), Mustapha Moucharik (RNI), Abderrahman Oiffa (PAM), as well as Secretary-General El Assad Zerouali, Chief of Staff Mansour Lambarki, and Director of External Relations and Communication Saad Ghazi.

This latest reaffirmation of support further solidifies Paraguay’s longstanding diplomatic alignment with Morocco on the Sahara issue, marking another milestone in the growing partnership between Rabat and Asunción.