Kenya has officially expressed support for Morocco’s autonomy proposal as a solution to the long-standing dispute over Western Sahara, according to a joint statement issued by both governments on May 26, 2025.

The announcement came during Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita’s visit to Nairobi, where he met with Kenyan President William Ruto and other senior officials. The joint statement described Morocco’s autonomy plan, first introduced in 2007, as “serious, credible, and realistic.”

Shift in Kenya’s Position

The move signals a clear alignment of Kenya’s stance with that of Morocco, following a period of fluctuating diplomatic positions on the Western Sahara issue. In the past, Kenya had maintained a more neutral or ambiguous position and had expressed support for a UN-led referendum on self-determination for the Sahrawi people.

Kenya’s latest position mirrors the view held by several other African and Arab nations that back Morocco’s proposal to offer Western Sahara autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, instead of full independence.

Background on the Dispute

Western Sahara has been the subject of a decades-long conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front, a separatist movement seeking independence for the region. Morocco claims sovereignty over the territory and has offered autonomy, but not independence.

The Polisario, backed by Algeria, continues to push for a UN-supervised referendum, which has yet to be implemented despite being promised in a 1991 ceasefire agreement.

Broader Diplomatic Context

Kenya’s endorsement is seen as a diplomatic win for Morocco, which has been actively seeking international backing for its autonomy plan. The North African kingdom has also strengthened ties with several African nations through economic and development partnerships.

The joint statement also emphasized the importance of respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states, a point often highlighted by Morocco in its diplomatic engagements.

Next Steps

The statement did not mention any change in Kenya’s relationship with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), which the Polisario considers the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people. Kenya had previously recognized the SADR but froze diplomatic ties in 2022.

The development is likely to have implications for regional diplomacy within the African Union, where divisions persist over the Western Sahara issue.

Further details on any bilateral agreements signed during the visit were not disclosed.

Source; Reuters