Mexican Chamber of Deputies President receives Sahrawi Foreign Minister
President of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies' Governing Board, Raúl Bolaños-Cacho Cué, held an official meeting with Sahrawi Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Affairs Mohamed Yeslem Beissat on October 15 in Mexico City, during the latter's visit to the country.
Bolaños-Cacho Cué, who assumed office on September 1, 2026, as the first member of the Ecologist Green Party of Mexico to hold the presidency of the Chamber, welcomed Beissat before the plenary session. He emphasized the institutional and parliamentary importance of the visit, underscoring the strong ties between Mexico and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
Historical diplomatic relations
The diplomatic relationship between the two nations dates back to September 8, 1979, when Mexico recognized the SADR and established formal relations. The SADR maintains an embassy in Mexico City, reflecting the sustained nature of bilateral cooperation.
Minister Beissat, who was appointed to his position on April 12, 2025, provided the Mexican side with a comprehensive briefing on the outcomes of his visit, which included discussions with government representatives and legislative bodies. He conveyed the Sahrawi government's appreciation for the deep relations between the two countries, which are built on foundations of friendship and cooperation.
International recognition of SADR
The SADR, proclaimed by the Polisario Front on February 27, 1976, following Spain's withdrawal from Western Sahara, currently maintains diplomatic relations with 45 United Nations member states and holds full membership in the African Union. While 84 UN member states have recognized the SADR at various points historically, the current number of recognizing states stands at 34 UN members plus South Ossetia, with Mexico being among those that have maintained consistent recognition.
Commitment to self-determination
During the meeting, Bolaños-Cacho Cué reaffirmed Mexico's unwavering commitment to the principle of self-determination for all peoples and to the defense of national sovereignty. He stressed that these fundamental principles should be upheld universally in the international arena, without exception.
The Sahrawi Republic currently controls approximately 20 to 25 percent of the Western Sahara territory it claims, with the remainder under Moroccan administration. The two territories are divided by an earthen wall known as the berm, which stretches approximately 1,700 miles across the disputed region.
Strengthening bilateral ties
Both parties confirmed their determination to further strengthen bilateral relations and deepen the historical and cultural connections between their peoples. They also pledged to enhance cooperation between their respective legislative institutions, building on the solid foundation of existing ties.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of ongoing diplomatic efforts regarding Western Sahara's future, with the UN Security Council having adopted Resolution 2797 in October 2025, which renewed the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara and identified Morocco's autonomy proposal as a basis for negotiations.
