Malawi reaffirmed its firm support for Morocco’s territorial integrity during discussions held on Wednesday in Rabat, welcoming the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2797, which consolidates the Moroccan autonomy plan as the sole basis for a political settlement to the Sahara dispute.
During talks with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Malawi’s Foreign Affairs Minister George Chaponda reiterated his country’s “unwavering position” and expressed full support for the resolution adopted on 31 October.
The ministry said Chaponda considered the Moroccan autonomy plan “the only serious, credible and lasting foundation” for resolving what it described as the fabricated dispute over the Sahara.
Chaponda’s visit – his first working mission to Morocco – also served to advance bilateral cooperation.
Both ministers agreed on the need to deepen ties across strategic sectors, with the ministry noting shared priorities in agriculture to bolster food security, technical training to meet Malawi’s capacity-building needs, and expanded collaboration in health, higher education, and energy.
The ministry added that both sides committed to aligning their positions more closely within regional and international bodies, including the African Union and the United Nations.
In a separate statement, the ministry said Chaponda voiced strong appreciation for the Royal Atlantic Initiative aimed at providing Atlantic Ocean access for Sahel countries.
According to Malawian diplomacy, President Peter Mutharika regards the initiative as “visionary” and an opportunity to reinforce intra-African cooperation by improving connectivity, economic integration, and regional security.
The ministry added that Chaponda viewed the initiative as a framework capable of turning the Sahel’s structural vulnerabilities into avenues for shared growth through an approach rooted in African solidarity and co-development.
He also noted that the initiative’s inclusive design aligns with broader continental efforts to promote stability and sustainable development.
Throughout the visit, both delegations emphasized the importance of transforming political goodwill into concrete programs, with a view to elevating Rabat-Lilongwe relations and reinforcing cooperation across Africa at a time of intensifying regional challenges.
MWN with MAP
