Morocco and Costa Rica have moved to revitalize their bilateral partnership, with Costa Rica expressing clear support for Morocco's autonomy plan for the disputed Western Sahara region. The diplomatic development was highlighted during a meeting between Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his Costa Rican counterpart, Arnoldo AndrΓ© Tinoco, in Rabat on March 28, 2026.
According to official statements from the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two ministers signed a joint declaration that includes Costa Rica's support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative as a "serious and credible" basis for resolving the Western Sahara conflict. The talks also focused on enhancing cooperation in economic, cultural, and environmental fields.
The meeting marks a significant shift in Costa Rica's position, which had previously maintained a more neutral stance. The autonomy plan, proposed by Morocco in 2007, offers self-governance for the region under Moroccan sovereignty, but it is opposed by the Polisario Front, which seeks full independence.
This diplomatic support from Costa Rica aligns with a growing number of nations, particularly in Africa and the Arab world, that have backed Morocco's stance in recent years. The renewed partnership is expected to include increased trade and investment between the two countries.
