Mali Backs Morocco’s Western Sahara Plan, Withdraws Recognition of Sahrawi Republic
Bamako — Mali said on Friday it supports Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara and has withdrawn its recognition of the self-declared Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, marking a shift in its position on the longstanding dispute.
Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop said Bamako considers Morocco’s proposal granting autonomy to Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty as “the only serious and credible basis” for resolving the conflict.
He made the remarks at a joint press conference with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony largely controlled by Morocco, remains Africa’s only territory with an unresolved post-colonial status.
The region is also claimed by the Polisario Front, which seeks full independence and advocates for a United Nations-supervised referendum on self-determination for the Sahrawi people.Mali’s decision comes amid worsening diplomatic ties with Algeria, a key backer of the Polisario Front.
The move is likely to deepen regional tensions, as Algeria and Morocco have long been at odds over the future of the territory.Rabat has promoted its autonomy initiative as a pragmatic solution, while the Polisario Front insists on implementing a 1991 agreement that provides for a referendum on independence under UN oversight.
The geopolitical context has shifted in recent months. In October 2025, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution supporting Morocco’s autonomy plan, signaling growing international backing for Rabat’s position.
The disputed territory is rich in natural resources, including phosphates, and its surrounding waters are considered among the most productive fishing zones in the region, adding economic significance to the political conflict.
