Mali reiterates its support for territorial integrity. and Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara

The Republic of Mali reiterated its "position in favor of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Morocco over all its territory, including the Sahara region," reaffirming its support for the Autonomy Plan presented by Morocco as "the only credible and realistic solution for resolving this regional dispute."

This position was expressed in the Joint Communiqué adopted at the end of the 4th session of the Moroccan-Malian Joint High Commission for Cooperation, which concluded its work on Friday, July 24, in Bamako, under the co-chairmanship of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Nasser Bourita, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali, Abdoulaye Diop.

The Joint Communiqué reiterated Mali's support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, as well as the Self-Determination Plan presented by the Kingdom of Morocco, as the only credible and realistic solution to this regional dispute, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2797, adopted on October 31, 2025.

This position arises following the declaration by the Malian government, dated April 10, 2026, which announced the official withdrawal, by the Republic of Mali, of its recognition of the self-proclaimed separatist entity "RASD".

The 4th session of the Joint Commission on Cooperation between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Mali took place from July 21 to 24 in Bamako.

Earlier this week, Benin and Ghana reinforced African support for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, following a series of bilateral meetings held with delegations from Benin and Ghana by the head of diplomacy of the Kingdom of the Maghreb, Nasser Bourita.