Rabat — Burundi has renewed its support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over all of its territory, including the Western Sahara region, following talks between the two countries’ foreign ministers in Rabat on Friday.
The East African country reiterated its position in a joint statement after a meeting between Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Édouard Bizimana, Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation.
Bizimana is in Morocco on a working visit and used the occasion to reaffirm Burundi’s backing for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara. According to the joint statement, Burundi considers the initiative the only credible and realistic solution to the regional dispute.
The Burundian minister also voiced support for the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy for Western Sahara to facilitate negotiations based on the autonomy proposal.
Burundi further welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2797, saying it views the resolution as establishing the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty as the basis for a political solution to the dispute. The joint statement described such a settlement as one that should be just, lasting and mutually acceptable to all parties.
The latest declaration comes as Morocco continues to gather diplomatic support for its autonomy initiative from partners across Africa and beyond. Burundi has repeatedly expressed support for the proposal in international forums, including during discussions at the UN Committee of 24 earlier this year.
Friday’s talks in Rabat reaffirmed the two countries’ shared position on the Sahara issue and added another public endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan from an African partner.
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