Mali Backs Morocco Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara

Mali has withdrawn its recognition of Western Sahara’s independence and now supports Morocco’s plan to grant the territory autonomy under its sovereignty, a move seen as a major shift in the long-running dispute.

Mali has announced that it no longer recognises the self-declared independence of Western Sahara, instead backing a Moroccan proposal to grant the territory autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty. The decision marks a significant shift in Mali’s foreign policy on one of Africa’s longest-running territorial disputes.
Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, remains the only territory in Africa whose post-colonial status is yet to be fully resolved. While much of the region is controlled by Morocco, it is also claimed by the Polisario Front, which advocates for full independence and insists that the indigenous Sahrawi population should be allowed to determine their future through a referendum supervised by the United Nations.
Speaking at a press conference, Mali’s foreign minister Abdoulaye Diop stated that his country considers Morocco’s autonomy plan as the only “serious and credible” solution to the conflict. He emphasized that granting genuine autonomy to Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty represents the most realistic path toward resolving the dispute. Diop also confirmed that Mali has officially withdrawn its recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, which was proclaimed by the Polisario Front in 1976.
The announcement was made alongside Morocco’s foreign minister Nasser Bourita, who described Mali’s move as “historic,” highlighting its diplomatic significance for Morocco’s position on the territory.
Mali’s decision comes at a time of worsening relations with Algeria, a key regional player that borders both Morocco and Western Sahara and has long supported the Polisario Front. Tensions between Morocco and Algeria over Western Sahara have persisted for decades, making the issue one of the most sensitive geopolitical disputes in North Africa.
The territory itself is vast and largely desert, but it holds significant economic value due to its rich phosphate reserves and abundant fishing waters. Morocco has long proposed that areas under its control should function as an autonomous region, while maintaining overall sovereignty.
On the other hand, the Polisario Front continues to push for full independence, referencing a 1991 agreement in which Morocco accepted the idea of a United Nations-supervised referendum on self-determination. However, progress toward such a vote has stalled over the years due to disagreements on its terms and implementation.
International efforts to resolve the dispute have involved the United Nations, with the Security Council previously urging all parties—including Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria, and Mauritania—to engage in negotiations toward a mutually acceptable solution. In a notable development, the United Nations Security Council in October 2025 adopted a resolution submitted by the United States that expressed support for Morocco’s autonomy plan, further shifting the diplomatic landscape surrounding the conflict.