Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, engaged in consecutive bilateral meetings with delegations from Benin and Ghana to secure their backing for the country’s autonomy initiative for the Sahara region.

The discussions centered on Morocco’s proposal, which is increasingly recognized as the most viable path toward resolving the decades-long dispute over the territory.

Benin

During the seventh session of the Morocco-Benin Joint Cooperation Commission in Cotonou, the two nations issued a joint statement affirming Benin’s unwavering support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, including over the Sahara.

Benin’s delegation, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration, Corinne Amori Brunet, highlighted the autonomy plan as the only credible and realistic solution to the conflict. She also welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2797, which endorses Morocco’s proposal as the foundation for a fair and lasting resolution.

Minister Brunet announced plans for an upcoming visit to Dakhla to assess the region’s economic and social progress and explore potential partnerships. Both countries agreed that the next session of the joint commission will be held in Dakhla.

Ghana

Morocco’s Foreign Minister also participated in the second session of the Morocco-Ghana Joint Cooperation Commission, where Ghana reaffirmed its alignment with the growing international consensus supporting Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara and its backing of the autonomy initiative.

Ghana’s position was formalized in a joint communiqué, with Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa emphasizing the plan’s role as the most realistic and sustainable basis for ending the decades-old conflict.

Ghana’s shift is notable, as it officially withdrew its recognition of the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in January 2025, aligning instead with the Moroccan proposal, which has now garnered support from 116 countries—over 60% of UN member states.

The Ghanaian government also expressed full support for UN Security Council Resolution 2797, which endorses the UN Secretary-General’s efforts to facilitate negotiations based on Morocco’s autonomy plan, aiming for a just, durable, and mutually acceptable settlement.

The visit to Accra breathed new life into Morocco-Ghana relations, with both sides agreeing to deepen cooperation in key sectors such as banking, housing, infrastructure, renewable energy, logistics, digital economy, mining, hydrocarbons, and agriculture.

Economically, the two nations committed to promoting trade missions, business forums, and sector-specific trade fairs to boost bilateral commerce and strengthen trade balances. They also announced the creation of a Morocco-Ghana Economic and Investment Forum, to be held alternately in both countries.

Agriculture emerged as another critical area of collaboration. Moroccan fertilizer producer OCP Group will contribute to enhancing Ghana’s cocoa yields and agricultural productivity, addressing the country’s heavy reliance on food imports, which exceed $3 billion annually.

Ghana also reiterated its support for Morocco’s Atlantic Initiative, which aims to facilitate landlocked Sahel countries’ access to international markets via the Atlantic Ocean. Accra remains engaged in the Atlantic Africa Gas Pipeline project, designed to connect Nigeria to Morocco.