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Rabat – Mali could soon officially withdraw its recognition of the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), former Mauritanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmedou Ould Abdellah has said.
In an interview, the former official said Mali is anticipated to express support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Most officials in Mali, according to the former Mauritanian official, expressed a desire for the Sahara issue to be resolved with recognition.
He suggested that if Mali won’t recognize Morocco’s territorial integrity, they will at least not engage in any activities that challenge the Moroccan sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara.
Ould Abdellah emphasized that a similar position was expressed by former Malian President Ibrahim Boubacae Keita after his election in 2013.
He said the former Malian president sought to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces.
“But [he] did not want in times of tension, to offend or antagonize Algiers,” he said.
Ould Abdellah also praised Morocco’s counterterrorism approach, recalling the country’s efforts against extremism and radicalism through imam training.
“Since the violent rise of terrorism, Morocco has created an institute to train imams, to encourage peaceful and moderate Islam, which many Malians and not only Malians but people in the region have appreciated.”
Mali’s potential withdrawal of recognition for SADR could be another setback for the Polisario Front and its supporter Algeria.
Morocco’s position has been gaining international support from various countries across the world, including within Africa.
For years, the Moroccan government has been emphasizing the importance of this growing support.
Last year, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita said that 20 countries have withdrawn their recognition of SADR, including 10 in Africa.
He recalled that half of the African continent, or more than 23 countries have opened consulates in southern provinces of Laayoune and Dakhla, white at least 100 countries endorse Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a serious and credible political solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
Of the 100 countries, more than 30 are African countries, which adopt the same position in favor of Morocco’s territorial integrity.
