Latest news with #AutonomyPlan
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Senegal Renews Support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan
Rabat – Senegal has renewed its support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan as a serious and credible political solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara. 'My country expresses its support for the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative as a compromise solution in accordance with international law, the United Nations Charter, and the various resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly,' Senegal's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Diamane Diome, said. He made his remarks during a regional seminar of the UN Special Committee on Decolonization held in Dili, Timor-Leste. Ambassador Diome recalled the momentum Morocco has achieved over the past few years. Morocco's Autonomy Plan has garnered enormous international backing over the past decade, with the Senegalese diplomat noting that more than 60% of UN member states, including two permanent members of the Security Council, support the Moroccan proposal as the most viable path toward a lasting settlement of the Sahara question. He also spoke enthusiastically of his country's decision to open a Consulate General in Morocco's southern provinces on April 5, 2021. The Senegalese ambassador further commended Morocco's heavy investments in the region, recalling that King Mohammed VI instructed the deployment of massive development projects worth more than $10 billion to transform the region and locals' living standards. Stressing the importance of Morocco's full respect for the ceasefire and commitment towards the UN-led political process, Senegal also urged all other parties to the Sahara dispute to refrain from any actions harmful to the political process. He also expressed support for the efforts of the UN Secretary General and his envoy Staffan de Mistura, who aimed to revive the political process under the exclusive auspices of the UN. He concluded his remarks by calling on all four parties, including Algeria, which frequently distances itself and refuses to shoulder responsibility in the dispute. In addition, Ambassador Diome emphasized the need to engage in the UN-led political process to find a mutually acceptable and agreed upon solution to the conflict. Morocco's autonomy initiative is increasingly creating a robust international consensus around the centrality of political compromise as the most viable horizon for the Sahara. The initiative has to date received the support of over 113 countries, with many nations describing it as the only feasible political solution to the Sahara conundrum. More importantly, many countries that were once staunch supporters of the Polisario Front have also joined the chorus of support in favor of Morocco's position. Just this week, Kenya officially joined the growing list of countries that described Morocco's autonomy initiative as 'the only sustainable approach' to resolve the Western Sahara dispute. Tags: algeria western saharaSenegal and Morocco
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Western Sahara: UK Support for Moroccan Sovereignty Is a Matter of Time
Rabat – With the ongoing momentum in support of Morocco's Western Sahara position, there have been serious appeals from UK politicians who urged their government to follow in the steps of major powers like the US and France and recognize Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces, or at least back the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as the only serious and credible path toward a lasting political resolution of the Sahara question. For years, the UK has clung to a traditional and very cautious position on the dispute, limiting this stance to its support for Morocco's efforts within the framework of the UN-led political process. But this position stops short of explicitly endorsing any particular solution, including the Moroccan Autonomy Plan, which has received clear and resounding support from over 113 countries in the past few years. While London acknowledges Morocco's engagement and efforts in the political process over Western Sahara, its position remains ambiguous and in stark contrast with Rabat's new policy and approach over its interests. In September 2022, King Mohammed VI set a clear vision for the future of the Sahara, both diplomatically and economically. In his historic speech, the monarch stressed that Western Sahara is the lens through which Morocco views its relations and cooperation with other countries. Morocco will enter into no agreement or partnership with any country that undermines its most important cause by challenging or casting doubt on its territorial integrity, the King stressed. 'I therefore expect certain states among Morocco's traditional partners as well as new ones, whose stances concerning the Moroccanness of the Sahara are ambiguous, to clarify their positions and reconsider them in a manner that leaves no room for doubt,' he said. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has recently acknowledged that the current UK government's position on Western Sahara remains the same as that of the previous governments. However, he stressed that the Sahara dossier is under review 'as we continue to discuss these issues in the region.' He made these comments during a parliamentary session in April, prompting speculation and signaling a potential change in the UK's traditional stance. Like many countries, such as the US, France, and Spain, the UK is well aware of what the Sahara dossier means to Morocco. This has been evident in the ongoing appeals and growing pressure from within the British establishment. Over the years, dozens of UK parliamentarians have repeatedly called on their respective governments to align with key allies by recognizing Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces. Last year, over 30 MPs and Peers penned a letter to the former UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Cameron, urging the timely recognition of Morocco's Autonomy Plan as the most viable solution to the dispute. 'Morocco stands paramount among these partner nations, it is a top strategic ally in North Africa, with shared values and perspectives crucial to both our countries,' they emphasized. The letter also warned against separatism or division, emphasizing the importance of reinforcing or boosting bilateral relations with a key ally like Morocco. 'The dangerous escalations and catastrophic effects of conflict in the Middle East have intensified the spread of terrorism and extremism, providing an opportunity for hostile militias to broaden their ideological reach and influence beyond their own borders,' the letter reads . It also emphasized the economic and geopolitical potential of the Western Sahara region, including the development of infrastructure in Morocco's southern provinces, including the port of Dakhla. The letter described the region as a 'hub for innovation and international cooperation in Africa.' In addition to this letter, several UK politicians individually called on their country to support the ongoing momentum by recognizing Morocco's territorial integrity. Some have even joined international appeals, calling for the designation of the Polisario Front as a terrorist group. Liam Fox, former Secretary of State for Defense in the UK, has for instance called on his country to label Polisario as a terrorist group. 'Like Hamas and Hezbollah, the Polisario Front is an Iranian proxy organisation. For the sake of our Moroccan allies, Western governments must move quickly to designate this group as a terrorist organisation,' Fox wrote on X. Time to make up for previous diplomatic mistakes Britain significantly contributed to colonial dynamics in Morocco in the early 20th century, particularly during the period surrounding the 1906 Algeciras Conference . After wielding unrivaled political and economic influence over Morocco in the late 19th century, the UK renounced its economic interests in Morocco by signing the Algeciras Act alongside other European powers. This act allowed France to establish control over Morocco, with the main goal of guaranteeing equal economic rights for all signatories. France, of course, dominated Morocco's economy. This means that the UK had a hand in facilitating France's dominance over Morocco, its economy, and political affairs. In closely aligning with Paris, the UK contributed to dismissing the North African country's independence aspirations, and safeguarding imperial integrity through diplomatic maneuvers. The Algeciras conference ultimately resulted in a European agreement that divided interests and influence within Morocco, leading to its subjugation under French and Spanish colonization. Well before the conference, France signed a treaty with Britain in 1904. In that accord, Paris renounced its ambitions in Egypt in favor of London. In exchange, France received the UK's support for its right to occupy Morocco. A third treaty also came the same year between France and Spain, confirming Spain's right to occupy northern Morocco in exchange for supporting France's expansion into the rest of Moroccan territory. As many Western countries rush to embrace Morocco's Autonomy Plan, observers have suggested that the UK is facing a now or never dilemma when it comes to making up for its historical mistakes in Morocco. With France and the US having taken the bold decision of recognizing Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara , many in Rabat and Rabat hope to see the UK follow in their footsteps in the coming weeks. Business interest Beyond political interests, many countries decided to reinforce ties with Morocco as the country continues to position itself as a leader in several areas, including security, migration management, agriculture, and renewable energy. With Morocco scheduled to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, the country has also become a target of business interests for governments and businesses. Earlier this month, UK Minister of State for Investment Baroness Gustafsson answered an MP's question on the country's potential cooperation, reinforcing trade ties with Morocco. Gustafsson said that the Department for Business and Trade is 'committed to helping UK businesses export to Morocco.' This effort aligns with the UK-Morocco Association Agreement the two countries signed in 2019 post-Brexit, he suggested. 'Bilateral trade was worth £4.2 billion in 2024, up £0.6 billion in current prices from 2023,' the minister stated, stressing the importance of Morocco as a co-host of the World Cup. In a recent interview with Morocco World News (MWN), Chief Executive Officer of UK Export Finance (UKEF) Tim Reid also expressed his country's determination to explore the World Cup as an opportunity for deepening British investments in Morocco. 'In Morocco, we are focusing on World Cup-related projects as we are keen to be part of this exciting adventure,' he said, noting the agency's £5 billion commitment to Moroccan projects. The goal of such a move would be to contribute to positioning the North African country as a strategic launching point for British commercial interests throughout Africa, Reid argued. Many British companies have also been operating in Morocco, particularly in the renewable energy sector, with companies like Sound Energy seeing Morocco as a promising hub in the sector. Of course, such enthusiastic expression of interest is bound to be met by frustration from the separatist Polisario Front and Algeria, which continues to maneuver against Morocco's territorial integrity by advocating and threatening companies not to invest in southern provinces. In March, the Polisario Front explicitly turned to its terrorist tactics by targeting foreign businesses that are operating in Morocco's southern provinces or seeking a presence in the region. 'Let the Sahrawi stay away from foreigners and not come telling us they're civilians or innocent. This is not a tourism context, but a wartime context,' a member of the Polisario Front leadership said in March. Amid the pressure and threats, UK Parliament Member Liam Fox urged British companies to seize investment opportunities in the region . Speaking to Morocco's official news agency, MAP, on the sidelines of the Innovation Zero World energy conference in London in April, Fox said: 'British companies looking for partnerships should take a closer look at what Morocco has to offer, particularly in the Kingdom's southern provinces.' In March, the UK government also made it clear that UK businesses are free to operate in Morocco's southern provinces, reaffirming that companies can make their own decisions on trade and investment in the region. This came as another blow to the separatist group from the UK government. For context, it came two years after a significant court verdict from the London Court of Appeals, which rejected the appeal request of pro-Polisario NGO WSC against the Morocco-UK Association Agreement in 2023. The lawsuit aimed to convince the British court to re-examine the trade agreement between the UK and Morocco to challenge Moroccan territorial integrity. Tags: algeria western saharaUK and Morocco
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
British FM's Potential Visit to Morocco Could Be Game Changer on Western Sahara
Rabat – A potential and still unconfirmed visit by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to Morocco is sparking serious talk over a possible shift in London's traditional position on the Western Sahara dispute. A source close to the dossier told Morocco World News (MWN) that the UK official could soon make an official stop in Morocco, where he will hold talks with senior officials. The visit could potentially include a major announcement, which could cover a revision of the UK's long-standing stance on the dispute. For years, the UK has clung to a traditional and very cautious position on the dispute, limiting this stance to its support for Morocco's efforts within the framework of the UN-led political process. But this position stops short of explicitly endorsing any particular solution, including the Moroccan Autonomy Plan, which has received clear and resounding support from over 113 countries in the past few years. While London acknowledges Morocco's engagement and efforts in the political process over Western Sahara, its position remains ambiguous and in stark contrast with Rabat's new policy and approach over its interests. In September 2022, King Mohammed VI set a clear vision for the future of the Sahara, both diplomatically and economically. In his historic speech, the monarch stressed that Western Sahara is the lens through which Morocco views its relations and cooperation with other countries. Morocco will enter into no agreement or partnership with any country that undermines its most important cause by challenging or casting doubt on its territorial integrity, the King stressed. 'I therefore expect certain states among Morocco's traditional partners as well as new ones, whose stances concerning the Moroccanness of the Sahara are ambiguous, to clarify their positions and reconsider them in a manner that leaves no room for doubt,' he said. David Lammy has recently acknowledged that the current UK government's position on Western Sahara remains the same as that of the previous governments. However, he stressed that the Sahara dossier is under review 'as we continue to discuss these issues in the region.' He made these comments during a parliamentary session in April, prompting speculation and signaling a potential change in the UK's traditional stance. Like many countries, such as the US, France, and Spain, the UK is well aware of what the Sahara dossier means to Morocco. This has been evident in the ongoing appeals and growing pressure from within the British establishment. Over the years, dozens of UK parliamentarians have repeatedly called on their respective governments to align with key allies by recognizing Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces. Last year, over 30 MPs and Peers penned a letter to the former UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Cameron, urging the timely recognition of Morocco's Autonomy Plan as the most viable solution to the dispute. 'Morocco stands paramount among these partner nations, it is a top strategic ally in North Africa, with shared values and perspectives crucial to both our countries,' they emphasized. The letter also warned against separatism or division, emphasizing the importance of reinforcing or boosting bilateral relations with a key ally like Morocco. 'The dangerous escalations and catastrophic effects of conflict in the Middle East have intensified the spread of terrorism and extremism, providing an opportunity for hostile militias to broaden their ideological reach and influence beyond their own borders,' the letter reads . It also emphasized the economic and geopolitical potential of the Western Sahara region, including the development of infrastructure in Morocco's southern provinces, including the port of Dakhla. The letter described the region as a 'hub for innovation and international cooperation in Africa.' In addition to this letter, several UK politicians individually called on their country to support the ongoing momentum by recognizing Morocco's territorial integrity. Some have even joined international appeals, calling for the designation of the Polisario Front as a terrorist group. Liam Fox, former Secretary of State for Defense in the UK, has for instance called on his country to label Polisario as a terrorist group. 'Like Hamas and Hezbollah, the Polisario Front is an Iranian proxy organisation. For the sake of our Moroccan allies, Western governments must move quickly to designate this group as a terrorist organisation,' Fox wrote on X. Time to make up for previous diplomatic mistakes Britain significantly contributed to colonial dynamics in Morocco in the early 20th century, particularly during the period surrounding the 1906 Algeciras Conference . After wielding unrivaled political and economic influence over Morocco in the late 19th century, the UK renounced its economic interests in Morocco by signing the Algeciras Act alongside other European powers. This act allowed France to establish control over Morocco, with the main goal of guaranteeing equal economic rights for all signatories. France, of course, dominated Morocco's economy. This means that the UK had a hand in facilitating France's dominance over Morocco, its economy, and political affairs. In closely aligning with Paris, the UK contributed to dismissing the North African country's independence aspirations, and safeguarding imperial integrity through diplomatic maneuvers. The Algeciras conference ultimately resulted in a European agreement that divided interests and influence within Morocco, leading to its subjugation under French and Spanish colonization. Well before the conference, France signed a treaty with Britain in 1904. In that accord, Paris renounced its ambitions in Egypt in favor of London. In exchange, France received the UK's support for its right to occupy Morocco. A third treaty also came the same year between France and Spain, confirming Spain's right to occupy northern Morocco in exchange for supporting France's expansion into the rest of Moroccan territory. As many Western countries rush to embrace Morocco's Autonomy Plan, observers have suggested that the UK is facing a now or never dilemma when it comes to making up for its historical mistakes in Morocco. With France and the US having taken the bold decision of recognizing Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara , many in Rabat and Rabat hope to see the UK follow in their footsteps in the coming weeks. Business interest Beyond political interests, many countries decided to reinforce ties with Morocco as the country continues to position itself as a leader in several areas, including security, migration management, agriculture, and renewable energy. With Morocco scheduled to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, the country has also become a target of business interests for governments and businesses. Earlier this month, UK Minister of State for Investment Baroness Gustafsson answered an MP's question on the country's potential cooperation, reinforcing trade ties with Morocco. Gustafsson said that the Department for Business and Trade is 'committed to helping UK businesses export to Morocco.' This effort aligns with the UK-Morocco Association Agreement the two countries signed in 2019 post-Brexit, he suggested. 'Bilateral trade was worth £4.2 billion in 2024, up £0.6 billion in current prices from 2023,' the minister stated, stressing the importance of Morocco as a co-host of the World Cup. In a recent interview with Morocco World News (MWN), Chief Executive Officer of UK Export Finance (UKEF) Tim Reid also expressed his country's determination to explore the World Cup as an opportunity for deepening British investments in Morocco. 'In Morocco, we are focusing on World Cup-related projects as we are keen to be part of this exciting adventure,' he said, noting the agency's £5 billion commitment to Moroccan projects. The goal of such a move would be to contribute to positioning the North African country as a strategic launching point for British commercial interests throughout Africa, Reid argued. Many British companies have also been operating in Morocco, particularly in the renewable energy sector, with companies like Sound Energy seeing Morocco as a promising hub in the sector. Of course, such enthusiastic expression of interest is bound to be met by frustration from the separatist Polisario Front and Algeria, which continues to maneuver against Morocco's territorial integrity by advocating and threatening companies not to invest in southern provinces. In March, the Polisario Front explicitly turned to its terrorist tactics by targeting foreign businesses that are operating in Morocco's southern provinces or seeking a presence in the region. 'Let the Sahrawi stay away from foreigners and not come telling us they're civilians or innocent. This is not a tourism context, but a wartime context,' a member of the Polisario Front leadership said in March. Amid the pressure and threats, UK Parliament Member Liam Fox urged British companies to seize investment opportunities in the region . Speaking to Morocco's official news agency, MAP, on the sidelines of the Innovation Zero World energy conference in London in April, Fox said: 'British companies looking for partnerships should take a closer look at what Morocco has to offer, particularly in the Kingdom's southern provinces.' In March, the UK government also made it clear that UK businesses are free to operate in Morocco's southern provinces, reaffirming that companies can make their own decisions on trade and investment in the region. This came as another blow to the separatist group from the UK government. For context, it came two years after a significant court verdict from the London Court of Appeals, which rejected the appeal request of pro-Polisario NGO WSC against the Morocco-UK Association Agreement in 2023. The lawsuit aimed to convince the British court to re-examine the trade agreement between the UK and Morocco to challenge Moroccan territorial integrity. Tags: algeria western saharaUK and Morocco
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
El Salvador Could Open Consulate in Morocco's Laayoune
Rabat – In addition to its unwavering support for the Autonomy Plan as a good basis to end the dispute over Western Sahara, El Salvador is discussing with Rabat the possibility of opening a consulate general in the city of Laayoune. On Monday, Salvadoran Vice President Felix Ulloa reiterated his country's support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative during a meeting with his Moroccan counterpart in Quito, Ecuador, where the Moroccan official represented King Mohammed VI at the inauguration ceremony of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa. During the meeting, the two officials discussed the 'possibility of opening a consulate' in El Salvador in the Moroccan southern city. The move is seen as a 'key step' in recognizing Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara. The two countries also reviewed bilateral ties, reaffirming their commitment to boosting diplomatic and bilateral cooperation and ties. In 2019, El Salvador withdrew its recognition of the self-styled SADR, announcing support for Morocco's territorial integrity. Breaking all contact with the separatist group, the country has also been reiterating its unwavering and steadfast support for the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as a serious and credible political solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara. In February this year, the vice president of El Salvador made a similar statement, stressing that this country strengthened cooperation relations with Morocco from 2019. Ties were 'further solidified with the opening of the embassy in Rabat in 2022. These steps have marked an important phase in El Salvador's foreign policy,' he said, noting that similar levels of ties is a renewal of the country's commitment to supporting Morocco's sovereignty over all of its territory, including it's provinces in the Sahara. Laayoune and Dakhla as hubs of support El Salvador will join at least 30 countries from different regions across the world, which have decided to open consulates in Laayoune and Dakhla to reflect their unwavering support for Morocco's territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces. Dakhla hosts consulate representatives from several countries, including Haiti, Suriname, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Togo, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cape Verde, Djibouti, and Burkina Faso. The region also hosts the representative of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. As for Laayoune, the region hosts Jordanian representative, as well as consulates of Bahrain, UAE, Burundi, Central Africa Republic, Comores, Malawi, Zambia, Eswatini, Sao Tome and Principe, Gabon, and Cote d'Ivoire. The growing momentum supporting Morocco's territorial integrity also reflects an international shift in understanding the dispute – particularly among countries that were previously uncertain or hesitant to join the trend. Some countries were puzzled by the dispute due to Algeria's lobbying attempts and maneuvers, portraying the separatist group as a victim of colonization through its diplomatic maneuvers and lobbying despite clear legal and historical evidence affirming that the region has always been an integral part of Morocco. Breaking Algeria's deep-rooted support for separatism Recent developments, including international calls, have exposed Algeria's deep-rooted support for separatism and interference in the domestic affairs of other countries. Notably, many politicians have been calling on their countries to designate the Polisario Front not just as a separatist group but a terrorist organization due to its ties to Sahel-based drug traffickers and its terrorist acts against Morocco. The clear vision is contributing to breaking long-held stereotypes, encouraging many other countries to reconsider their positions. A notable example is Kenya, which has recently joined a group of 113 countries that view Morocco s Autonomy Plan as a serious and credible political solution. 'The Republic of Kenya considers the autonomy plan as the only sustainable approach for resolving the Sahara issue and intends to cooperate with like-minded states to promote its implementation,' a joint statement said on Monday. The statement came following talks between Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita and Kenya's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi. Kenya had been a steadfast supporter of the Polisario Front. But in 2022, President Ruto signaled that his country would no longer recognize SADR. The announcement was soon deleted from X, where the President announced the news, but the message is still clear about the shift. Read Also: Western Sahara: Has Moroccan Diplomacy Really Failed in Kenya? Moroccan political observers have predicted Kenya's upcoming support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan, including Moroccan foreign policy expert Samir Bennis. In a statement on X, Bennis stressed that this prediction has grown further when Kenya abstained from voting on UN Security Council Resolution 2654 of October 2022. 'Today, Kenya has officially declared that Morocco's autonomy initiative represents the 'only sustainable approach' to resolving the Western Sahara dispute,' Bennis wrote, noting that this development represents a resounding blow to Algeria's military regime. For the analyst, the announcement marks a turning point in the diplomatic landscape surrounding the dispute, as it also reflects the total collapse and failure of the separatist agenda run and sponsored by Algeria. Even before Kenya explicitly expressed support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative, the country signaled that it was leaning toward a change. 'With Kenya joining the growing list of countries backing Morocco's position, our country is closer than ever to turning this page for good,' the analyst added. Following Ruto's inauguration as president, officials from Kenya signaled potential stronger ties with Rabat. Algeria's regime, however, continued its maneuvers to maintain its influence. Observers, however, have long seen Kenya's new position coming as the country has been looking for credible partners that would support its ambitions in areas like agriculture and security. Tags: Algeria and Western SaharaMorocco
Morocco World
4 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Kenya Turns Page on Sahara, Backs Morocco's Autonomy Plan
Doha – Kenya has officially declared Morocco's Autonomy Plan as 'the only sustainable approach' to resolve the Western Sahara dispute, marking a major diplomatic victory for Rabat. This position was formalized in a joint statement released Monday in Rabat following talks between Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Kenya's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi. 'The Republic of Kenya considers the autonomy plan as the only sustainable approach for resolving the Sahara issue and intends to cooperate with like-minded states to promote its implementation,' the statement said. Kenya also 'welcomes the growing international consensus and the momentum led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in favor of the autonomy plan presented by the Kingdom of Morocco as the only credible and realistic solution to resolve the dispute over the Sahara.' This announcement represents the culmination of a diplomatic normalization process that began with President William Ruto's arrival to power in 2022. The two-day official visit by Mudavadi to Morocco from May 26-27 cements this strategic realignment. Decades of tensions end The relationship between Kenya and Morocco had been frozen for decades over the Sahara issue. The relationship between Kenya and Morocco had been frozen for decades over the Sahara issue. Kenya previously actively supported the separatist Polisario Front's self-proclaimed 'Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR),' even hosting its president, Brahim Ghali, and maintaining a 'Sahrawi' mission in Nairobi. This stance changed dramatically on September 8, 2022, when President Ruto signaled Kenya would no longer recognize the fictitious 'SADR.' Though the tweet announcing this position was quickly deleted, it triggered a reassessment of Kenya's policy toward Morocco. Diplomatic relations accelerated rapidly afterward. In March 2023, Kenya's foreign affairs secretary made the first official visit to Rabat. By December 2023, Kenyan senators had formally called on the government to open an embassy in Morocco. In March 2024, Jessica Muthoni Gakinya became Kenya's first ambassador to Morocco. On August 30 of the same year, she presented copies of her credentials to Bourita. Kenya's 2025 foreign policy blueprint, Sessional Paper No. 1, officially removed any reference to the Sahara issue. During his current trip, Mudavadi is set to officially inaugurate the embassy and hold talks with his Moroccan counterpart Aziz Akhannouch. This visit will also mark the establishment of Kenya's third diplomatic mission in North Africa, after Algeria and Egypt. Both ministers stressed 'the exclusivity of the United Nations in the political process' and reaffirmed their support for the UN Security Council resolutions, particularly resolution 2756 (2024), the statement adds. Morocco expressed appreciation for 'Kenya's recognition of Morocco's continued cooperation with the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to advance the political process based on relevant Security Council resolutions.' Bilateral agreements inked During today's meeting, Bourita and Mudavadi signed several bilateral agreements covering various fields of cooperation. During today's meeting, Bourita and Mudavadi signed several bilateral agreements covering various fields of cooperation. They agreed to schedule the first session of the Morocco-Kenya Joint Cooperation Commission to establish the legal framework for initiatives that could strengthen bilateral cooperation. The two officials noted that bilateral relations have shown positive development, driven by increasing engagement at all levels since President Ruto came to power in 2022. This meeting is part of the new positive dynamic between the two countries. On the multilateral front, the two ministers reaffirmed the importance of political consultations within various international forums and organizations. These consultations aim to align viewpoints on subjects of common interest, following principles of peace preservation and respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity. A major challenge in this normalization process is the trade imbalance between the two countries. In 2023, Kenya exported only 500 million shillings (about $3.85 million) worth of goods to Morocco, while importing 12 billion shillings (around $92.4 million) of Moroccan products. This created an 11.5 billion shilling (roughly $88.6 million) structural trade deficit for Kenya. Kenya's exports consist mainly of tea, coffee, textiles, and fruits, while Morocco primarily exports fertilizers, oils, and aircraft parts to Kenya. To combat this, Ambassador Gakinya has outlined a roadmap to strengthen Moroccan investments in Kenya's fertilizer sector while promoting Kenyan agricultural products in the Moroccan market. Morocco's OCP Group, the world's leading phosphate exporter, could establish a fertilizer plant in Kenya to transform the country's agricultural production. This partnership works to ensure stable and competitive local supply, going beyond simple commercial exchanges to include technology transfer and expertise in sustainable soil management and intensive agriculture. Tags: Autonomy Plan for the Saharamorocco kenyaWestern sahara
