Mali has officially endorsed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, marking a significant diplomatic shift in the long-running territorial dispute. The announcement was made on April 10, 2026, by Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop, positioning Bamako among a growing number of African states supporting Rabat’s proposal to resolve the decades-old conflict, as reported by AP News.
Under Morocco’s plan, Western Sahara would be granted local self-governance through elected legislative, executive, and judicial institutions, while Morocco retains control over key areas such as defence, foreign affairs, and religious matters. Mali described the proposal as “the only serious and credible basis” for resolving the dispute, aligning with similar endorsements from countries including Kenya and Ghana in recent years.
In a major policy shift, Mali also withdrew its recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, the self-declared state backed by the Algeria-supported Polisario Front, which continues to push for a referendum on independence. The move underscores changing geopolitical alignments in Africa and reflects increasing support for Morocco’s position across the continent and beyond.
The Western Sahara conflict, ongoing since Spain’s withdrawal in 1975, remains one of Africa’s longest-running territorial disputes. Mali’s endorsement adds momentum to Morocco’s diplomatic push, signalling a broader regional realignment that could influence future negotiations, investment prospects, and political stability in North Africa.
