By: Julius Konton
The Republic of Guinea-Bissau has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Morocco’s territorial integrity, including the disputed Sahara region, in a move that underscores growing African backing for Rabat’s autonomy proposal as the decades-long conflict continues to reshape regional diplomacy.
Speaking after high-level talks in Rabat on Monday, Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Communities, Mrs. Fatumata Jau, reiterated her government’s “steadfast and unwavering” position in favor of Morocco’s sovereignty over all its territories.
The statement came following bilateral discussions with Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, as both nations sought to deepen diplomatic and economic ties.
Jau emphasized that Guinea-Bissau fully supports Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara, describing it as the “only credible, serious, and realistic” framework for ending what she called an “artificial dispute” that has persisted for nearly five decades.
The Western Sahara dispute dates back to 1975, when Spain withdrew from the territory, triggering competing claims between Morocco and the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria.
Since then, the conflict has remained one of Africa’s longest unresolved territorial issues, with the United Nations maintaining peacekeeping efforts through the MINURSO mission since 1991.
Morocco’s autonomy proposal, first introduced in 2007, has increasingly gained international traction.
According to Moroccan diplomatic records, more than 30 countries have opened consulates in the southern cities of Dakhla and Laayoune, signaling growing recognition of Morocco’s administrative authority over the region.
Jau highlighted Guinea-Bissau’s decision to open a Consulate General in Dakhla in October 2020, describing it as a landmark diplomatic gesture that reflects the “depth of brotherhood and strategic cooperation” between the two countries.
“This opening remains a practical demonstration of Guinea-Bissau’s clear position and its commitment to strengthening relations with Morocco,” she said.
The Guinea-Bissau foreign minister also welcomed the recent adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797, which reinforces international support for a political solution based on realism, compromise, and sustainability.
She noted that the resolution further consolidates Morocco’s autonomy plan under its sovereignty as the foundation for a “just, lasting, and mutually acceptable” settlement.
The diplomatic endorsement comes amid intensified Moroccan efforts under the leadership of King Mohammed VI to strengthen South-South cooperation and consolidate African partnerships.
Since ascending to the throne in 1999, the monarch has prioritized economic integration, infrastructure development, and investment across Africa, helping Morocco become one of the continent’s leading investors in West Africa.
Trade between Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa has grown by more than 60 percent over the past decade, according to regional trade reports, while Morocco has signed over 1,000 bilateral agreements with African nations.
Analysts say Guinea-Bissau’s reaffirmation adds to Rabat’s expanding diplomatic momentum, particularly as several global powers including the United States, Spain, France, and multiple Arab and African states have increasingly aligned with Morocco’s autonomy proposal.
For Morocco, the endorsement represents another strategic gain in its campaign to secure broader international legitimacy over the Sahara, while for Guinea-Bissau, it reinforces a partnership rooted in mutual cooperation, development, and regional stability.
