Suriname has reaffirmed its continued support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over its entire territory, including the Sahara, while reiterating full backing for the Moroccan autonomy plan as the only credible, serious and realistic basis for resolving the dispute.
This position was expressed in a joint statement signed on Thursday in Rabat by Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation, Melvin Bouva, and Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, following their bilateral talks.
In the statement, Suriname welcomed the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797 on October 31, 2025, noting that it enshrines Morocco’s autonomy plan, within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty, as the sole serious, credible and lasting foundation for a political solution to the regional dispute.
The Surinamese side also welcomed what it described as a growing international consensus in favor of the autonomy plan, as well as the momentum driven by King Mohammed VI in support of this initiative.
Both ministers further encouraged the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between twinned cities, specifically between the Moroccan city of Dakhla and the Commewijne District in Suriname. The statement recalled that Suriname opened an embassy in Rabat and a consulate general in Dakhla in May 2022.
Beyond the Sahara issue, Morocco and Suriname reaffirmed their firm commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation for the benefit of both countries and their peoples. The joint statement highlighted the close ties of friendship and solidarity between the two nations and expressed satisfaction with the current level of relations.
The two ministers reviewed progress achieved under the cooperation roadmaps for the periods 2017–2021 and 2021–2024, and discussed prospects for future cooperation in line with the ambitions of both countries.
As part of this renewed momentum, Bouva and Bourita signed a new cooperation roadmap for the period 2026–2028, along with two cooperation agreements between the diplomatic academies of both countries and in the field of renewable energy.
They also underlined the significant economic potential of Morocco and Suriname, reaffirming their commitment to developing a mutually beneficial economic partnership and increasing trade exchanges. In this context, they agreed to promote a more favorable environment for mutual investments and to encourage closer engagement between their respective business communities.
The statement further noted Morocco’s appreciation for the vision and strategic leadership of Suriname’s President, Jennifer Simons, the country’s first female head of state, particularly regarding access to climate financing for countries with high forest cover and low deforestation rates, as well as her efforts toward socio-economic development in Suriname and the wider Caribbean region.
Bouva’s visit to Rabat marks his first official trip to Morocco since his appointment as Suriname’s foreign minister in July 2025.
