Relationship dossier
Rwanda
Western Sahara
Relationship assessment
Rwanda shifted from recognizing the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic to supporting Morocco’s position in Western Sahara.
Rwanda toward Western Sahara
-15Rwanda recognized the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic before withdrawing recognition in 2006. In 2021, Rwanda opened a consulate in Dakhla, a city administered by Morocco, aligning its diplomatic presence with Morocco’s position on Western Sahara.
Western Sahara toward Rwanda
Not assessedOverall relationship
Not assessedHow to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Rwanda recognized the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic before withdrawing recognition in 2006, and in 2021 opened a consulate in Dakhla, in the part of Western Sahara administered by Morocco. These steps indicate a shift toward Morocco’s position on the territory. The scope of direct Rwanda–Sahrawi government relations after the withdrawal is unclear.
Areas of tension
- Rwanda’s consulate in Dakhla reflects a position at odds with the Sahrawi claim to sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Key developments
Rwanda withdrew its recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
Rwanda opened a consulate in Dakhla, in the part of Western Sahara administered by Morocco.
Major uncertainties
- The extent of direct contact or cooperation between Rwanda and Sahrawi authorities after Rwanda withdrew recognition is unclear.
- The practical implications of Rwanda’s Dakhla consulate for its policy toward Sahrawi representatives are unclear.