Chile recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara

United Nations (New York), September 21, 2026Chile "supports the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over all its territory, including the Sahara region" and "considers the autonomy proposal presented by Morocco in 2007 as a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution."

This position was expressed in a joint statement signed after talks held on Monday in New York, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the General Assembly, between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Nasser Bourita, and his Chilean counterpart, Francisco Pérez Mackenna. This meeting took place in the presence of the President of the Republic of Chile, José Antonio Kast.

The joint statement further emphasizes that "Chile has decided to translate its support into bilateral cooperation and will promote opportunities for economic and commercial cooperation in the Moroccan Sahara region, in order to strengthen ties in terms of investment, trade and productive development."

It further specifies that Chile "welcomes and endorses Security Council Resolution 2797/2025, joining the calls made to the parties to engage in negotiations without preconditions, based on the proposal for Moroccan autonomy, with a view to reaching a definitive and mutually acceptable political solution."

During this meeting, the two ministers also signed the Terms of Reference to begin negotiations on a free trade agreement between the two countries.

In two weeks considered particularly crucial for the future of the Saharan question at the United Nations, Morocco gained two further endorsements for its position in previous days.

On Monday, the 21st, Cape Verde became the third of the PALOP (Portuguese-speaking African Countries) to reaffirm its support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara, following Guinea-Bissau and São Tomé and Príncipe in the last 12 months. Similarly, on the sidelines of the 81st General Assembly of the UN Security Council, and also yesterday, Monday, Sierra Leone reiterated its support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara.