Rabat, Morocco –Kenya has declared its full support for Morocco’s autonomy plan in Western Sahara, marking a clear stance in one of Africa’s most enduring and sensitive territorial disputes.
The announcement came on Monday following high-level talks in Rabat between Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, and Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita.
In a joint communiqué, Kenya described the Moroccan proposal as “the only sustainable approach” to resolving the long-running conflict over the territory.
“Kenya considers the autonomy plan as the only credible and realistic solution to the Sahara issue,” the communiqué stated, adding that Nairobi “intends to cooperate with like-minded States” to see the plan through.
Morocco’s autonomy initiative, first proposed in 2007, offers limited self-rule for Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty. Rabat sees it as a practical compromise to end a decades-old standoff with the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks full independence for the region.
The shift in Kenya’s position is diplomatically significant. Though Kenya has previously maintained a neutral stance, Monday’s declaration brings it closer to Morocco’s camp amid growing international support for the autonomy framework.
“Kenya welcomes the momentum led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in favour of this initiative,” the statement added, underscoring the country’s appreciation for Morocco’s recent diplomatic outreach across the continent.
The two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to a United Nations-led political process, with explicit support for Security Council Resolution 2756, adopted in 2024. That resolution renewed the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) and called for a negotiated, realistic, and lasting solution.
Morocco, for its part, acknowledged Kenya’s endorsement.
“The Kingdom appreciates Kenya’s recognition of its cooperation with the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy,” the communiqué noted.
Kenya’s statement aligns with a growing number of African and Arab nations that have voiced support for the autonomy plan, reflecting a broader diplomatic trend away from the independence option long championed by the Polisario.
However, the Polisario Front and its backers maintain that the people of Western Sahara are entitled to a UN-backed referendum on independence, a vote that has been stalled for years due to disagreements over voter eligibility and other political hurdles.
Analysts say Kenya’s declaration may boost Morocco’s influence within African Union debates on the issue, where the matter remains divisive.
For now, the shift signals a tightening of ties between Nairobi and Rabat and a shared vision of stability rooted in diplomacy over deadlock.
