African Countries Reinforce the Primacy of the Autonomy Plan under Moroccan Sovereignty

United Nations (New York) – African countries reaffirmed, on Wednesday before the United Nations General Assembly, the broad continental support for the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative and the Kingdom’s sovereignty over its Sahara, during the continuation of the debate begun Tuesday on the Russian veto in the Security Council.

This plenary session, convened in accordance with General Assembly resolution 76/262, is devoted to the Russian veto of October 30, 2026, of the American draft resolution on the Sahara issue, which had garnered eleven out of fifteen votes and would have extended the mandate of MINURSO.

Speaking on this occasion, the representative of the Republic of Djibouti reaffirmed his country’s support for “the Moroccan autonomy initiative within the framework of the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco, which he considers the only political solution capable of leading to a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable settlement of this dispute.”

The diplomat recalled “the relevance of Security Council resolution 2797, which adopted the Moroccan autonomy proposal as the basis for negotiations.”

He also noted the “encouraging developments” reported by the Secretary-General in his latest report, particularly the resumption of substantive discussions among the four parties regarding this proposal, after several years of interruption.

“The path of dialogue and negotiation, based on the Moroccan autonomy initiative, constitutes the appropriate framework for achieving a definitive, just, and lasting political settlement of this issue,” he emphasized.

For its part, the Republic of Guinea reiterated “its support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the only serious, credible, and realistic basis offering concrete guarantees for a political settlement that respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco.”

The Guinean representative emphasized that his country subscribes to the relevant Security Council resolutions, “particularly resolution 2797 (2025), which establishes the framework for a final settlement based on the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty.”

“The status quo, much less a deadlock,” he stated, “cannot be an acceptable prospect for the United Nations after several decades of diplomatic efforts,” calling on the international community for a renewed commitment to “turn the page on this dispute definitively through compromise, realism, and pragmatism.”

For its part, Togo reiterated its “full support for the Kingdom of Morocco in its ongoing efforts to reach a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution” to this dispute, which has persisted for over half a century and, in its view, deprives the African continent of significant development opportunities.

“Togo is convinced that the Moroccan autonomy initiative, presented to the Secretary-General on April 11, 2007, constitutes the most credible, realistic, and pragmatic basis for reaching a definitive political settlement,” the Togolese representative emphasized, adding that this conviction is “now reinforced by resolution 2797,” adopted on October 31, 2025.

The diplomat also commended Morocco’s respect for the ceasefire and its continued cooperation with MINURSO, before reaffirming his country’s commitment to a definitive solution to the question of the Moroccan Sahara “with respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco.”

The Togolese representative also called for the registration of the population in the Tindouf camps.

Liberia, for its part, reaffirmed its support for the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative “as the most realistic, credible, and feasible basis for a negotiated settlement under Moroccan sovereignty.”

The Liberian representative, whose country voted in favor of the American draft resolution on October 30, emphasized that this text “offered clear political direction while maintaining the commitment of the United Nations,” while finding that the draft resolution presented by Russia lacked political clarity.

The diplomat also commended “Morocco’s sustained diplomatic efforts” and its commitment to the restraint and safety of UN personnel.

Similarly, Senegal stated that “the autonomy plan offers guarantees of a peaceful, sustainable, and development-oriented solution,” while regretting the use of the veto that prevented the Security Council from voting on the renewal of MINURSO’s mandate.

These positions come in addition to those expressed on Tuesday by the overwhelming majority of African countries, which reiterated their support for the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative.