Kenya backs Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara

Kenya on Monday officially announced its support for Morocco’s proposal to grant Western Sahara autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, aligning itself with a rising chorus of African, Arab, and Western nations that have recently endorsed Rabat’s plan as the most credible solution to the decades-old territorial dispute.

In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nairobi reaffirmed its “clear and firm support” for Morocco’s autonomy initiative, calling it a “serious and realistic framework” to resolve the long-frozen conflict.

The move marks a significant diplomatic shift in East Africa, bolstering Morocco’s standing on the continent.

“The Kingdom of Morocco’s initiative offers a pragmatic path toward a peaceful and lasting solution, respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a fellow African nation,” the ministry said.

The conflict over Western Sahara, a sparsely populated but resource-rich region in North Africa, has persisted since 1975, when Spain withdrew from the territory.

Morocco claims Western Sahara as part of its sovereign territory, while the Algeria-backed Polisario Front seeks to establish an independent Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).

The region has been the focus of repeated but stalled UN-led negotiations, with the Polisario insisting on a referendum on self-determination.

Kenya’s declaration adds weight to Morocco’s diplomatic gains in recent years, during which it has secured backing for its autonomy plan from influential states including the United States, France, the United Arab Emirates, and Senegal.

The support reflects growing frustration with the deadlock and a wider trend of favoring stability and economic integration in the region.

Analysts say Kenya’s decision could influence other countries in the East African Community (EAC) and the African Union (AU), where divisions over Western Sahara have historically been a source of tension.

“Kenya’s endorsement is a diplomatic victory for Morocco and signals a shifting consensus on the continent,” said political analyst Grace Mutua.

“It also highlights Nairobi’s increasingly strategic ties with Rabat, particularly in trade and security cooperation.”

Algeria and the Polisario Front have yet to respond to Kenya’s announcement, but past such moves by other countries have been met with strong condemnation and accusations of undermining the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.

The AU continues to recognize the SADR as a member state, though Morocco rejoined the bloc in 2017 after a decades-long absence, determined to rally support from within Africa for its autonomy proposal.

With Kenya’s support, the diplomatic momentum appears to be tilting further in Morocco’s favor. However, the core dispute remains unresolved, and the risk of renewed conflict in the region lingers amid rising regional tensions and sporadic clashes.