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Rabat – Angola has expressed its backing for a political solution based on consensus to effectively resolve the Western Sahara dispute, according to a Morocco-Angola joint statement.
Issued on the sidelines of the third session of the Morocco-Angola Joint Cooperation Committee, held in Rabat, Angola said that it firmly supports finding a “fair, permanent, and acceptable” political solution based on consensus, in line with the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General and his personal envoy, Staffan de Mistura.
The meeting was chaired by Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, alongside his Angolan counterpart Tete Antonio.
The joint statement further emphasized the unwavering commitment of both ministers to upholding the principles of international law, legitimacy, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.
In the statement, the two countries expressed their shared values and commitment to contribute to the establishment of a lasting peace and stability in the region.
Angola equally commended Morocco’s efforts on migration issues at both the African and international levels in the joint statement.
For his part, Bourita praised the significant role President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco of Angola plays within the African Union.
On this occasion, the ministers engaged in in-depth discussions on regional and international issues of common interest and reiterated their joint commitment to contribute to the development of Africa and maintaining peace and security.
Angola and the Western Sahara dispute
Angola is among the African nations that have maintained relations with the Polisario Front, a separatist group that seeks independence in Western Sahara.
After the departure of former President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, there were reports of increased discussions between Luanda and Rabat aiming to strengthen diplomatic ties.
During Dos Santos’ presidency from 1979 to 2017, he was a vocal supporter of the Polisario Front.
In March 2021, Morocco expressed its commitment to enhancing economic and trade relations with Angola as part of efforts to foster business cooperation between the two countries.
Both Angola and Morocco have expressed their determination to expedite the process of signing several draft agreements in the economic and commercial spheres.
The agreements, which have been finalized from a technical standpoint, cover areas such as double taxation avoidance, air services, reciprocal investment protection, and trade cooperation.
However, whether Angola will alter its position on the Western Sahara dispute and join the increasing number of African countries supporting Morocco’s territorial integrity remains uncertain.
In recent years, Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara has gained widespread international recognition, with the establishment of consulates general in the Moroccan southern provinces of Laayoune and Dakhla.
Currently, the provinces host more than 20 diplomatic representations from African and Arab countries that have demonstrated their support for Morocco’s stance on Western Sahara.
Countries like Senegal, Malawi, and Zambia, among others, have opened consulates in the region, affirming their steadfast commitment to Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for the disputed territory.
Some Arab nations, including the UAE, Jordan, and Bahrain, have also established representations in the region, reiterating their support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Read Also: Angola Seeks to Strengthen Relations With Morocco
