Senegal Reaffirms Staunch Support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan

Rabat – Senegalese Foreign Affairs Minister Amadou Ba has reiterated his country’s commitment and ongoing support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan. Morocco submitted the plan to the United Nations in 2007 as a way to reach an agreed upon and mutually acceptable political solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara.

The Senegalese official made his statement on Monday, September 16, following a meeting with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita.

“I would like to reiterate in this regard the strong and constant support of the Republic of Senegal for the Moroccan Sahara, a position that Senegal has been defending for a long time,” said the official.

Ba is in Morocco as part of an official two days visit, the first of its kind since his appointment in April 2019.

The Senegalese official also reaffirmed Senegal’s determination to support the  UN-led political process to find a mutually acceptable political solution to the Western Sahara conflict.

During a joint press conference, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita expressed his satisfaction with the strong diplomatic relations between the two African states. He added that Senegalese diplomacy has always been an ally to Morocco in its fight for territorial integrity.

“The kingdom will always be grateful for this strong and active position expressed regularly at regional and international meetings,” he added.

Counterterrorism

In addition to Western Sahara, the meeting’s agenda also touched on Morocco’s efforts to fight extremism and terrorism in Africa.

The Senegalese official said that Morocco has developed expertise in the fight against terrorism. He added that this expertise could “help African countries face this scourge.”

The Senegalese minister added that “Senegal and Morocco have dynamic and strong” ties strengthened through the special relationship between HM King Mohammed VI and President of the Republic of Senegal, Macky Sall.