The Polisario Front aims to strengthen its presence in Uruguay following the inauguration of President Yamandú Orsi. This comes as the front faces setbacks in South America, losing recognition from Panama and Ecuador, and pressure from Colombia for reevaluation of relations with the SADR. Uruguay has historically supported the SADR since 2005, but recent political shifts complicate the situation.
The Polisario Front is strategically leveraging the recent political shift in Uruguay, marked by the inauguration of President Yamandú Orsi, to garner support for its cause. This event prominently featured Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Polisario Front, underscoring the organization’s intent to strengthen ties with leftist political factions in the region. Uruguay has officially recognized the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) since December 26, 2005, a decision aligned with the left-wing coalition Frente Amplio’s ascension to power in 2004.
Despite the election of the center-right president Luis Lacalle Pou in December 2019, Uruguay’s stance on recognizing the SADR remained largely unchanged. However, the Polisario Front has recently encountered challenges in South America, with countries such as Panama and Ecuador retracting their recognition of the SADR. Additionally, the Colombian Congress took action on February 14, urging President Gustavo Petro to reassess his government’s relations with the SADR following a prior decision to reestablish connections in August 2022.
In summary, the Polisario Front is actively seeking renewed support in Uruguay amid recent setbacks in South America. The inauguration of President Yamandú Orsi presents an opportunity for the Polisario, particularly in the context of its historical ties with leftist governments. Nevertheless, the front faces a challenging landscape, as regional recognition of the SADR appears to be diminishing, necessitating continued diplomatic efforts to maintain support.
Original Source: en.yabiladi.com
