Deep Dive: Bolivia suspends ties with Western Sahara due to agreement with Morocco

Bolivia's suspension of ties with Western Sahara represents a notable shift in its foreign policy orientation toward North Africa. As a landlocked South American nation with a history of solidarity with self-determination movements, Bolivia (recognized for its support of indigenous rights and anti-colonial stances) previously maintained relations with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, the entity proclaimed by the Polisario Front in Western Sahara. This move aligns with a broader realignment where Bolivia prioritizes diplomatic and potentially economic ties with Morocco, which administers most of Western Sahara and claims sovereignty over the territory. From a geopolitical lens, Morocco has aggressively pursued normalization of its control over Western Sahara, securing recognitions from several countries amid tensions with Algeria, Western Sahara's primary backer. Bolivia's decision adds to this momentum, reflecting strategic interests possibly linked to trade, phosphates (a key Western Saharan resource), or South-South cooperation. Culturally, Bolivia's indigenous Plurinational State identity might find resonance with Morocco's narrative of territorial integrity, contrasting with its past alignment with Polisario's independence struggle rooted in decolonization. Cross-border implications extend to the Sahrawi population, numbering around 500,000, who face displacement in refugee camps near Tindouf, Algeria, and restricted self-determination. Algeria, a Polisario ally, may view this as a diplomatic setback, straining its relations with Bolivia. For global audiences, this underscores how resource-rich disputes in Africa influence distant actors; Bolivia's pivot could encourage other Latin American states to reassess positions, impacting UN-led MINURSO (UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) efforts. Looking ahead, this could signal Bolivia's pragmatic foreign policy under President Luis Arce, balancing ideology with economic pragmatism amid lithium export ambitions. Stakeholders include Morocco's King Mohammed VI, pushing African Union reintegration, and Algeria's diplomatic corps. The nuance lies in Bolivia not formally recognizing Moroccan sovereignty but suspending ties, preserving some ambiguity while prioritizing bilateral gains.