49th Green March Anniversary: Global & growing support for Morocco's territorial integrity

As Morocco commemorates the 49th anniversary of the Green March on November 6th, this historic event serves as a reminder to reflect on the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its historical legitimacy and sovereignty over its southern provinces. 

This is demonstrated by the opening of several new consulates in Dakhla and Laayoune, bringing the total to 29, with 17 located in Dakhla.

This is also reinforced by the growing international support for the Moroccan autonomy plan as the only realistic and legitimate framework for resolving the Sahara conflict. Countries across the Arab region, Africa, Europe, and beyond have endorsed the plan as the sole basis for a political solution.

The most recent endorsement came from France on July 30th, when it reaffirmed its support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces, conveying to King Mohammed VI that it views the present and future of the Sahara as falling within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty. 

This position was further reiterated by the French President during his address to the Moroccan parliament on the sidelines of his state visit to the Kingdom.

In this regard, the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs published on October 29th the official map of the Kingdom of Morocco on its website, including the Sahara.

French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot also announced that his country intends to increase its consular and cultural presence in the Moroccan Sahara, to create a French alliance.

Macron also encouraged French companies to invest in the Moroccan Sahara, describing the decision by some companies to exit Africa in recent years as a mistake. He also emphasized that the agreements signed during his state visit would mark a new chapter in Moroccan-French relations for the next 25 years, with the Moroccan Sahara being a key area for French investment.

This support is mirrored by other European countries, such as Spain, which reaffirmed its backing for Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara as a realistic and credible solution to the territorial dispute. It also praised Morocco’s strategic initiatives, including efforts to promote cooperation among Atlantic-bordering African nations and the Atlantic Gas Pipeline project.

Likewise, Germany reiterated last December its stance on the Moroccan Sahara, viewing “the autonomy plan presented in 2007 as a serious and credible effort by Morocco and a sound basis for a mutually accepted solution,” as outlined in the Joint Declaration of August 25, 2022.

Denmark joined on September 18 European countries in reaffirming its support for Morocco’s 2007 Autonomy Plan, calling it a serious and credible contribution to the UN process and a solid basis for a mutually agreed solution while reiterating support for the UN-led process and Staffan de Mistura’s efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution.

Let’s not forget the historic decision made by the United States in December 2020 under the Trump administration, recognizing Morocco’s full sovereignty over Western Sahara and announcing plans to open the first consulate in Dakhla.

Even in Latin America, Morocco’s efforts to assert sovereignty over the Sahara have gained momentum, as demonstrated by Ecuador’s suspension in October of its recognition of the so-called “rasd.” 

Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld conveyed this decision to Morocco’s Nasser Bourita, aligning with King Mohammed VI’s push to promote the Autonomy Plan as the sole solution. Ecuador’s move marks a new chapter in relations between the two countries.

Peru also shifted its stance on the Sahara, suspending diplomatic relations with the Polisario Front as of September 8, 2023, and reaffirming support for the UN’s efforts to reach a fair political resolution to the dispute.

Other Latin countries, such as Chile, have also reiterated unwavering support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative as the framework for resolving the Sahara dispute.

This sentiment resonates across Africa, with Sierra Leone reaffirming Morocco’s autonomy initiative as a “credible and realistic” solution to the Sahara dispute and backing the UN-led process. 

Senegal, along with other African countries, has also voiced “constant and firm” support for Morocco’s territorial integrity, including the Moroccan Sahara.

This position is also echoed in the Arab region, with countries like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, and Qatar, among others, reaffirming their support for the Autonomy Plan within the framework of Morocco’s sovereignty.