Dominican Republic expresses support for Morocco’s Sovereignty over Sahara, announces intention to open consulate in Dakhla

The Dominican Republic, through the voice of its President Luis Abinader, has expressed support for Morocco’s Sovereignty over its Sahara and announced its intention to open a consulate in Dakhla.

President Luis Abinader asked Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, who represented King Mohammed VI at the President’s inauguration ceremony, to convey to the Monarch “the Dominican Republic’s firm support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara and its intention to consider, as a priority in future expansion plans, the opening of a consulate in the city of Dakhla,” the Dominican Republic’s Foreign Department announced in a press release issued this Sunday.

President Abinader also reaffirmed that the Dominican Republic “considers the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco as the only solution to the dispute over the Sahara,” the press release stated.

President Abinader underlined his willingness to strengthen bilateral relations in all areas, and his intention to visit Morocco at the invitation of King Mohammed VI, the press release underlined.

Bourita had actually extended an invitation on the part of the Monarch to President Abinader to pay an official visit to Morocco, a visit that would provide an opportunity to establish a framework for deepening bilateral relations in various fields.

Bourita also conveyed to President Abinader the Sovereign’s congratulations and his wishes for success in his new term of office, the press release added.

The hugely popular President Luis Abinader won a second term in elections last May, after he clinched victory in the first round.

Abinader’s win was deemed by observers an endorsement of his handling of the economy and tough policies towards migration from neighboring Haiti.