Kenya has formally endorsed Morocco’s proposal to grant Western Sahara autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, positioning itself among a growing number of African and international actors shifting support toward Rabat in one of Africa’s longest-running territorial disputes.
The announcement came during an official visit by Kenya’s Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi to Rabat, where he held bilateral talks with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. In a joint statement, Kenya described Morocco’s autonomy plan as “the only credible, realistic and sustainable solution” to the Western Sahara conflict.
A Decades-Long Dispute
The Western Sahara dispute dates back to 1975, following Spain’s withdrawal from the territory. Morocco swiftly moved to assert control over the vast desert region, claiming historical ties predating colonial rule. In contrast, the Algeria-backed Polisario Front — a liberation movement representing the Sahrawi people — seeks full independence and has proclaimed the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), which enjoys limited international recognition.
While Morocco now controls around 80% of the territory, including its major cities and natural resources, the remaining areas are administered by the Polisario, with ongoing skirmishes continuing sporadically since the collapse of a 1991 UN-brokered ceasefire.
African Union’s Position
The African Union (AU) has historically supported Western Sahara’s right to self-determination and admitted the SADR as a member in 1984 — prompting Morocco to withdraw from the AU. Morocco only rejoined the continental body in 2017 after a 33-year hiatus, having shifted its diplomatic strategy toward securing bilateral support for its autonomy initiative among African nations.
While the AU officially maintains neutrality, member states are increasingly divided, with several now backing Morocco’s proposal. Kenya’s endorsement adds significant weight to Rabat’s pan-African lobbying efforts, especially given Nairobi’s regional influence and its prior recognition of the SADR.
Bilateral Gains and Strategic Cooperation
Beyond diplomacy, the two countries agreed to bolster cooperation in trade, renewable energy, fisheries, security, and culture. Morocco, a global leader in phosphate-based fertilizer production, committed to scaling up exports to Kenya, while Nairobi seeks to expand its tea, coffee, and fresh produce exports to balance bilateral trade.
Kenya also expressed support for Morocco’s broader initiative to link landlocked Sahel countries to global markets through Atlantic trade corridors — a geostrategic move that would enhance Morocco’s role as a logistical gateway for African states.
Embassy Opening Cements Ties
To formalize the evolving relationship, Kenya inaugurated a new embassy in Rabat on Monday, marking a milestone in the 60-year history of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
As the Western Sahara issue remains unresolved at the UN level, Kenya’s alignment with Morocco marks a significant geopolitical shift — signaling growing continental momentum behind the autonomy plan and underscoring the complex intersection of diplomacy, trade, and regional security in North Africa.