Morocco gains more support for its territorial integrity in anglophone Africa

Morocco’s diplomatic strategy is bearing fruit across Anglophone Africa,as a growing number of English-speaking nations endorse its autonomy plan as the only solution to the Sahara issue,in a development that reflects a broader global realignment in favor of Rabat’s sovereignty over the territory.

In a major diplomatic win,Ghana,a longtime ally of the Polisario separatists,recently made a volt-face by suspending ties with the Algeria-sponsored and self-proclaimed separatist entity RASd. The move was followed by a clear-cut support for the territory’s autonomy under Morocco’s sovereignty,a proposal put forward by Rabat in 2007.

Ghana’s Foreign Minister,Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa,called the autonomy plan “the only realistic and sustainable basis” for resolving the conflict.

This move follows a similar reversal by Kenya a few weeks ago,which also backed Morocco’s plan after years of ideological anachronism and Algerian lobbying that led it to support the Polisario separatist militias.

These shifts are part of a growing trend among Anglophone African nations — including Liberia,Zambia,Eswatini,and Malawi,that have either opened consulates in Morocco’s southern provinces or publicly endorsed the autonomy under the Kingdom’s sovereignty as a solution to the artificial conflict fueled and perpetuated by Algiers.

Several other English-speaking African states have praised the autonomy plan as “serious,credible,and realistic.”

Globally,more than 113 countries now support Morocco’s position,while at least 28 countries have withdrawn or frozen their recognition of the self-proclaimed and Algeria-hosted SADR,in a sharp decline from the 1980s,when over 80 countries recognized the Polisario entity.

The momentum in favor of Morocco’s autonomy plan came after relentless efforts by Morocco in defense of its territorial integrity. This endeavor culminated with the United States,a key ally,recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara. The position was reiterated by the new Trump administration. France,Arab monarchies,and an increasing number of African and Latin American states,in addition to former colonial power Spain,now back the autonomy plan as the only solution to the regional conflict.

It is also worth mentioning that since rejoining the African Union in 2017,Morocco has pursued a proactive and pragmatic diplomacy,especially in English-speaking Africa. Through economic cooperation,educational exchanges,and strategic investments,particularly in agriculture,fertilizers,and renewable energy,Rabat has positioned itself as a trusted partner on win-win partnerships.

Analysts say this growing support reflects a global shift away from ideological divisions of the Cold War era and toward practical,development-oriented diplomacy,with a concern to preserve regional peace and stability.

As Morocco consolidates its gains,the Polisario Front and its main backer,Algeria,find themselves increasingly isolated on the international stage. The African Union,once a stronghold of pro-Polisario sentiment,is now bracing for suspending the membership of the separatist group. This membership has always been decried by Morocco as an anomaly and a pre-judgement of the UN-process.