In a significant shift in African diplomatic alignments, Kenya has formally expressed support for Morocco’s plan to grant autonomy to Western Sahara under its sovereignty.
This declaration came on Monday following high-level talks between the foreign ministers of the two nations, marking a new chapter in the five-decade-long conflict and strengthening bilateral ties. In a joint statement issued after the meeting in Rabat, Kenya affirmed that it considers Morocco’s autonomy plan as “the only credible, serious, and realistic solution” to the Western Sahara dispute.
The conflict, which began in 1975, pits Morocco against the Polisario Front, a movement backed by Algeria seeking full independence for the resource-rich desert territory. The diplomatic milestone coincided with the official opening of Kenya’s new embassy in Rabat, celebrating 60 years of bilateral relations between the two countries.
The move underscores Nairobi’s growing interest in deepening political, economic, and cultural ties with the North African kingdom. As part of their strengthened partnership, Morocco a leading global exporter of phosphates and fertilizers committed to accelerating the supply of soil nutrients to Kenya. The two nations also agreed to collaborate on renewable energy, tourism, fisheries, security, and cultural and religious exchanges.
Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, hailed Kenya’s position on Western Sahara as a powerful endorsement of what he called Morocco’s “national cause,” adding that it injects fresh momentum into the strategic relationship.
Kenyan Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi emphasized the need for balanced trade, noting Kenya’s intention to boost exports of tea, coffee, and fresh produce to Morocco.
He also welcomed Morocco’s initiative to provide landlocked Sahel states access to global markets via Atlantic ports a move Nairobi supports as part of a broader continental integration agenda.
