logo
Algeria Faces Major Setback as Ghana Reaffirms Support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan

Algeria Faces Major Setback as Ghana Reaffirms Support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan

Morocco World05-06-2025

Rabat — In another diplomatic setback for Algeria, Ghana has once again reaffirmed its support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan as the only viable solution to the Western Sahara dispute. This comes just months after Algeria claimed that Ghana had reversed its stance on the issue — a claim that has now been officially dismissed.
In a joint statement signed in Rabat by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his Ghanaian counterpart, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, last Friday, Ghana recognized 'the exclusivity of the Autonomy Plan presented by the Kingdom of Morocco in 2007 as the only realistic and sustainable basis for a mutually acceptable solution' to the regional dispute.
This declaration reinforces Ghana's decision on January 7, 2025, to withdraw its recognition of the self-proclaimed 'SADR' (so-called Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic). The move aligns Ghana with the growing international consensus in support of Morocco's territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces.
Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration confirmed that it had communicated this position to Morocco, the African Union, and the United Nations through official diplomatic channels. The ministry emphasized Ghana's backing for the 'good-faith efforts made by the Kingdom of Morocco to reach a solution accepted by all parties.'
Ghana had originally recognized the Polisario-led 'SADR' in 1979 but has now decisively shifted its position in line with over 113 countries — more than 60% of UN member states — that support Morocco's Autonomy Plan as the most credible political framework to resolve the conflict.
This reversal is part of a broader regional trend. Kenya, once considered a stronghold of pro-Polisario sentiment and a vocal ally of Algeria's stance on the Sahara, has also announced its support for Morocco's proposal. These developments signal a growing momentum in favor of Morocco's sovereignty , leaving Algeria's foreign policy increasingly isolated.
Adding to Algeria's diplomatic frustrations, the United Kingdom — a permanent member of the UN Security Council — recently expressed its clear endorsement of Morocco's Autonomy Plan. The UK's support is more than symbolic; it adds significant international weight to Morocco's position.
According to recent figures from Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, over 113 countries around the world support the moroccan autonomy plan.
On the other hand, 46 countries, including 13 African nations, have cut or frozen their ties with the Polisario since 2000. The increasing number of countries distancing themselves from the separatist group highlights the shifting dynamics on the global stage — where realism and pragmatism are replacing outdated allegiances. Tags: Algeria and Western Saharaautonomy planGhanaSahara

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Morocco Opens New Consulate in Mantes-la-Jolie, France
Morocco Opens New Consulate in Mantes-la-Jolie, France

Morocco World

time3 hours ago

  • Morocco World

Morocco Opens New Consulate in Mantes-la-Jolie, France

Rabat – Morocco opened a new Consulate General on Friday in Mantes-la-Jolie, in the Paris region. The new office brings the total number of Moroccan consulates in France to 17, making it the largest Moroccan consular network abroad. The consulate aims to bring services closer to Moroccan citizens living in France and improve efficiency. The move is part of a broader strategy by Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to better serve the needs of Moroccan communities abroad. The new consulate will serve nearly 156,000 Moroccans living in the departments of Yvelines, Seine-Maritime, and Eure. Many officials attended the opening ceremony, including Samira Sitail, Morocco's Ambassador to France, Fouad Kadmiri, Director of Consular and Social Affairs at the Foreign Ministry, and Mustapha El Bouazzaoui, the new Consul General in Mantes-la-Jolie. French officials were also present at the event, including Frederic Rose, the Prefect of Yvelines, Pierre Bedier, President of the Yvelines Departmental Council, and Raphael Cognet, Mayor of Mantes-la-Jolie. Several local mayors, elected officials, and many Moroccan citizens also attended the event. A sign of closer ties Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Samira Sitail said the new consulate is 'a source of pride' for Moroccans living in the region and shows the country's commitment to staying connected with its citizens abroad. She also thanked the French authorities for their support in making the project a reality. French officials welcomed the opening of the consulate, saying it will strengthen local cooperation and support the close relationship between France and Morocco. Prefect Frederic Rose noted that Moroccans are the second largest foreign community in Yvelines, with about 30,000 residents. He said having a nearby consulate would help improve communication and cooperation with Morocco. Fouad Kadmiri described the new consulate as part of King Mohammed VI's ongoing support for Moroccans living abroad. He said this new office reflects the King's care for the Moroccan diaspora and is an example of bringing public services closer to citizens. Consul General Mustapha El Bouazzaoui said the consulate will be open and fully operational starting Monday, and has already received 780 appointment requests through a special application. The opening of the consulate also comes at a time when Morocco and France are experiencing stronger diplomatic relations. Ties between the two countries have improved in the last year, especially after France officially endorsed Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara. The move was seen as a strong gesture of support for Morocco's position and helped relaunch political dialogue and cooperation between the two longtime partners. Tags: consulateFranceMorocco

Moroccans among top 10 asylum seekers in EU+, nearly 25,000 mainly in Italy and Spain
Moroccans among top 10 asylum seekers in EU+, nearly 25,000 mainly in Italy and Spain

Ya Biladi

time9 hours ago

  • Ya Biladi

Moroccans among top 10 asylum seekers in EU+, nearly 25,000 mainly in Italy and Spain

Asylum trends across the European Union and associated countries (EU+) hit their highest level since 2017, with 795,000 first-instance decisions issued in 2024, a surge driven by rising applications and ongoing geopolitical tensions. Among those seeking asylum were nearly 25,000 Moroccan nationals, according to the European Union Agency for Asylum's 2025 report. Moroccan nationals ranked tenth among the most common nationalities applying for asylum in EU+ countries last year, with 25,347 applications, an 18% drop from 2023, when 30,924 Moroccans applied for protection. The majority of these applications were submitted in Italy (41%), followed by Spain (17%) and Slovenia (14%). In terms of volume, Moroccan asylum seekers in 2024 were far outnumbered by applicants from Syria, Venezuela, and Afghanistan, the top three nationalities, as well as Colombia, Türkiye, Bangladesh, Peru, Ukraine, and Egypt. Still, Moroccans remained highly concentrated in some national systems. In Slovenia, they made up a striking 63% of all asylum applicants, while in Bulgaria and Slovakia they remained among the top five nationalities seeking asylum. Low recognition rates and high withdrawals Despite their strong presence in several countries, Moroccan applicants saw low protection rates. Italy, which issued 85,000 first-instance decisions, the largest increase across the EU+, registered a high number of rejections for nationals of Morocco, alongside applicants from Egypt, Pakistan, and Tunisia. In Bulgaria and Slovenia, Moroccans accounted for 10% and 33%, respectively, of all first-instance decisions, though few resulted in refugee status. Slovakia stood out as an exception, where 10% of all granted refugee statuses went to Moroccan nationals. Equally striking is the sharp rise in withdrawn applications. Moroccan nationals ranked third in this category, with 5,304 withdrawals recorded in 2024, a 34% drop from the previous year. Slovenia had the highest rate of withdrawals by Moroccans, representing 71% of all withdrawn applications, followed by Switzerland (12%) and Spain (9.2%). By the end of 2024, Moroccan nationals also accounted for 43% of all pending asylum cases in Slovenia.

Mauritania defends Lebriga closure amid Polisario pressure
Mauritania defends Lebriga closure amid Polisario pressure

Ya Biladi

time12 hours ago

  • Ya Biladi

Mauritania defends Lebriga closure amid Polisario pressure

The Mauritanian government has defended its decision, made in May, to close the Lebriga region on the border with Algeria. «This is a domestic security measure aimed at controlling crossings and securing the borders», said Houssein Ould Meddou, Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication, and Relations with Parliament, and spokesperson for the Mauritanian government, in an interview with France 24 Arabic. «This decision has no political motivations and does not target any specific party. It is part of a broader, long-standing state strategy to safeguard national sovereignty», he added. Mauritania's response comes amid pressure from the Polisario Front, which has been seeking access for its armed fighters through the Lebriga zone to launch attacks on Moroccan positions east of the Sand Wall. A Polisario delegation even traveled to Nouakchott on May 30 in an attempt to persuade President Mohamed Cheikh Ould El Ghazouani to reopen the zone, an effort that failed.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store