Abuja’s steadfast support for Polisario: challenging the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline vision

Nigeria’s resolute reaffirmation of its recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (RASD) transcends a mere diplomatic formality. By officially renewing its commitment to the principles of self-determination, decolonization, and the inviolability of colonial-era borders, Abuja sends a potent political message. This stance directly refutes the Moroccan regime’s assertions that the Western Sahara issue is definitively settled.

The recent visit to Abuja by Mohamed Yeslem Beissat, the special envoy of the Sahrawi President, who delivered a message from Brahim Ghali to his Nigerian counterpart Bola Ahmed Tinubu, underscores a diplomatic momentum favorable to the RASD. Discussions with Nigerian authorities solidified the robust relationship between the two nations and their shared ambition to enhance cooperation. Critically, these talks also reasserted the foundational principles of the African Union, which positions the right of peoples to self-determination as a cornerstone of the continental body.

This position holds particular weight when viewed against Rabat’s ambitious regional aspirations. For several years, Moroccan authorities have championed the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project, presenting it as the emblem of a strategic partnership poised to reshape West Africa’s energy landscape. However, Abuja’s confirmed historical support for the RASD unequivocally demonstrates that the perceived development of economic cooperation with Morocco has never translated into political alignment on the sensitive Western Sahara question.

This clarification dismantles the Moroccan narrative, which often portrays the colossal gas project as evidence of a comprehensive political convergence with Nigeria. While the project is frequently highlighted in official statements, its immense cost, significant security challenges, financing complexities, and exceptionally long route have long fuelled doubts about its practical realization. In this context, Nigeria’s unambiguous and continued recognition of the RASD directly counters interpretations that anticipated a diplomatic shift in Abuja favouring Rabat.

Beyond the Nigerian situation, Sahrawi diplomacy consistently strengthens its foothold across the African continent. As a founding member of the African Union, the RASD maintains an active diplomatic presence among member states. Its objective is to preserve the African consensus advocating for the decolonization of Western Sahara and the resumption of the political process under the aegis of the United Nations. Recent engagements with various African capitals underscore a concerted effort to reinforce historical partnerships and reiterate that, for a substantial portion of Africa, the Sahrawi issue remains an unresolved matter of decolonization, firmly rooted in international law and crucial for the political Sahel.