By: Julius Konton
Liberia has once again reaffirmed its support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco, including the disputed Sahara region, as Monrovia and Rabat move to deepen their political, economic and diplomatic partnership.
The position was reiterated by Liberian Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti following talks in Rabat with Moroccan Foreign Minister, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita.
The discussions underscored what both sides describe as increasingly close relations between Liberia and Morocco and highlighted their intention to broaden cooperation across several strategic sectors.
Nyanti said Liberia would maintain its position within the United Nations Security Council, where the country is serving as a non-permanent member for the 2026–2027 term.
The 15-member Security Council consists of five permanent members and 10 elected members serving two-year terms; Liberia is among the elected members whose mandate runs through 2027.
The Western Sahara issue is expected to remain an important item on the Council’s diplomatic agenda.
The UN Security Council’s Resolution 2797, adopted in October 2025, extended the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 31 October 2026 and called for negotiations aimed at reaching a political solution.
Liberia has separately stated in the UN decolonization process that it supports an autonomy proposal under Moroccan sovereignty as a serious, credible and realistic basis for a mutually acceptable political settlement.
Liberia’s position is not new. In July 2025, Nyanti publicly reaffirmed Monrovia’s support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and its autonomy initiative, describing the proposal as a credible and realistic pathway toward resolving the long-running dispute.
Liberia has also maintained a diplomatic presence in Morocco’s southern region, opening its Consulate General in Dakhla on March 12, 2020.
The move has been cited by both countries as a significant expression of their diplomatic partnership.
The two countries have significantly expanded bilateral cooperation in recent years.
Their diplomatic relationship dates back to the 1960s, when both countries participated in wider African efforts that contributed to the emergence of continental unity and ultimately the creation of the Organization of African Unity in 1963.
Liberia opened its embassy near Rabat in 1996, while Morocco reopened its embassy near Monrovia in 2024.
Economic and development cooperation has also gained momentum.
In January 2025, Liberia and Morocco signed 15 bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding covering areas including education, vocational training, healthcare, agriculture and agribusiness, human-resource development, governance, industry, tourism and other sectors.
The two governments also discussed strengthening commercial links between the Port of Monrovia and Morocco’s Tangier port, reflecting efforts to expand trade and investment ties.
Against this backdrop, Nyanti emphasized Liberia’s interest in taking the bilateral relationship to a broader level, particularly through increased cooperation in diplomacy, culture, trade, investment and economic development.
She linked the continued momentum to the leadership of Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. and Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, while stressing the mutual benefits of closer engagement between the two countries.
The Rabat discussions therefore come at a strategically significant moment for both governments.
For Liberia, its two-year tenure on the Security Council provides an opportunity to participate directly in international deliberations on major peace and security questions.
For Morocco, maintaining and expanding support among African states remains an important component of its broader diplomatic strategy concerning the Sahara.
With MINURSO’s current mandate due to expire on October 31, 2026, and the Security Council expected to revisit the issue before then, Liberia’s stated position places Monrovia among the African Council members supporting Morocco’s autonomy proposal.
At the same time, the United Nations-led process continues to seek a political settlement acceptable to the parties involved.
The latest engagement between Nyanti and Bourita thus goes beyond the Sahara question, reflecting a broader effort by Liberia and Morocco to consolidate a relationship increasingly anchored in diplomatic coordination, economic cooperation, education, development and Africa-focused partnerships.
