Relationship dossier
Sierra Leone
Western Sahara
Relationship assessment
Sierra Leone’s policy toward the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic shifted from recognition to withdrawal.
Sierra Leone toward Western Sahara
0Sierra Leone recognized the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic in 1980 and withdrew recognition in 2003, changing its formal position toward the Western Sahara dispute.
Western Sahara toward Sierra Leone
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
Sierra Leone recognized the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic in 1980 and withdrew recognition in 2003, reflecting a change in its government policy toward the Western Sahara dispute. The territory’s political status remains contested, and information about direct conduct by Sahrawi authorities toward Sierra Leone is insufficient for a reciprocal assessment.
Key developments
Sierra Leone recognized the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
Sierra Leone withdrew recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and practical effects of Sierra Leone’s recognition and subsequent withdrawal are unclear.
- Details of direct Sahrawi government conduct toward Sierra Leone are limited.