Panama affirmed that it will continue to support international efforts to achieve a peaceful and lasting solution to the Western Sahara conflict, including the self-determination of the people of the SADR.
The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic was founded by the Polisario Front on February 27, 1976, after the territory of Western Sahara was abandoned by Spain. Photo: @gaceta_es

Panama City, November 22 (RHC)-- Panama announced this Friday that it is suspending diplomatic relations with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).

«The Government of the Republic of Panama, within the framework of the applicable norms of international law, has decided to suspend, as of today, diplomatic relations with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)», the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.

Despite the breakdown of relations, Panama affirmed that it will continue to support international efforts to achieve a peaceful and lasting solution to the Western Sahara conflict, including the self-determination of the people of the SADR.

“The Republic of Panama, prioritizing the national interest and faithful to the fundamental principles of its foreign policy, reaffirms its conviction with the purposes and values ​​that guide multilateralism and reiterates its willingness to continue supporting the efforts promoted by the Secretary General and the international community, within the framework of the United Nations, with a view to achieving a peaceful, fair, lasting and acceptable solution for the parties involved in the issue of Western Sahara, including the self-determination of its people,” the Panamanian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Likewise, Panama assured that it continues to promote dialogue and understanding among the peoples of the world.

The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic was founded by the Polisario Front on February 27, 1976, after the territory of Western Sahara was abandoned by Spain.  However, the territory of the SADR was given to Morocco and Mauritania since 1975 due to an agreement, without international validity, signed between Spain and African countries.

The deal with the Iberian nation concluded that Morocco would control the north of Western Sahara, while Mauritania would control the south.

The battle between Morocco and Mauritania against the Polisario Front broke out after Spain left, shortly after the SADR was proclaimed. A ceasefire was reached in the area in 1991, and a UN peacekeeping mission has remained in Western Sahara since that year.

Currently, the Moroccan authority controls 80 percent of the territory of Western Sahara, while the Polisario Front only controls 20 percent.

More than 80 countries once recognized the SADR, however, more than half of these have withdrawn recognition.