New York - After several months of diplomatic rift between Sweden and Morocco over Stockholm’s alleged plans to recognize the self-proclaimed Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), Sweden has decided in favor of Morocco.

New York – After several months of diplomatic rift between Sweden and Morocco over Stockholm’s alleged plans to recognize the self-proclaimed Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), Sweden has decided in favor of Morocco.

The Swedish government has reportedly submitted the proposal of recognizing the Polisario Front leadership for an internal review, and have desisted the idea, SVT public television stated on Thursday.

It is expected that Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström officially announce the decision, the same source revealed on its website.

The Swedish decision to dismiss the self-proclaimed SADR was in part due to the fact that “Morocco is an influential country in the Arab world” and the desire to “see a rebound in economic relations and trade” between the two countries.

Last October, the relations between Morocco and Sweden witnessed a period of tensions over rumors that the Swedish government was preparing to recognize the Polisario’s self-proclaimed state.

Mustapha Khalfi, Morocco’s Minister of Communications and Government Spokesperson announced Rabat’s decision to boycott all Swedish companies and products, including furniture giant IKEA, in protest against Sweden’s “assault on Moroccan sovereignty”.

Following the tension between both governments, Swedish Foreign Minister Wallström, said in an exclusive statement sent to Morocco World News in October 2015 that while Sweden was in the process of reviewing its policy regarding Western Sahara, it did not intend, “for the time being, to recognize the so-called SADR.”

The motion for the recognition of “Western Sahara’s” independence in Sweden dates back to December 2012 when the Swedish government’s opposing party at the time raised the issue.