Rabat – Somalia has renewed support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara.
The country’s top diplomat, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, conveyed this position during a meeting with Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat, reiterating Somalia’s steady position in favor of Morocco’s territorial integrity.
In a joint communique signed at the end of the talks between the two ministers, Abdi Ali expressed great satisfaction with the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2797.
Somalia was among the countries that voted for the resolution on October 31, endorsing Morocco’s Autonomy as the only genuine political solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
During the meeting between Abdi Ali and Bourita, the two chief diplomats reaffirmed their countries’ shared commitment to strengthening bilateral partnership.
Both officials reiterated their determination to diversify cooperation, with the aim of establishing a “Strong partnership” based on active solidarity.
They also signed a cooperation roadmap covering the period 2026-2028. The roadmap seeks to intensify high-level visits and promote cooperation in different sectors – including agriculture, maritime fisheries, tourism, renewable energies, training, and higher education, among others.
Bourita announced a substantial increase in the quota granted to students from Somalia, raising it to 120 scholarships per year for training in university, technical, and professional institutions.
On Thursday, Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch met with his Somali counterpart Hamza Abdi Barre in Rabat.
During the meeting, Akhannouch reaffirmed to the Somali Prime Minister Morocco’s support for Somalia’s sovereignty over its territory.
He further emphasized King Mohammed VI’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation between Morocco and Somalia.
The head of government also renewed Morocco’s continued support for “all efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability, and the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia over its territory, “a statement from the Head of Government’s office said.
Meanwhile, in comments following the meeting, Somalia’s Prime Minister noted that his discussions with Akhannouch focused on strengthening bilateral ties and opening new prospects for economic and political cooperation between the two countries.
