Casablanca, July 25, 2026 – The Europe Today: Mali has reaffirmed its support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the only credible and realistic solution to the Western Sahara dispute, according to a joint statement issued following the fourth session of the Morocco-Mali Joint Cooperation Commission held in Bamako.
The commission, which met from July 21 to 24, was co-chaired by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop. The joint statement reiterated Mali’s backing for the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to advance the political process, emphasizing that Morocco’s Autonomy Plan remains the basis for resolving the dispute in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2797, adopted on October 31, 2025.
The latest declaration follows Mali’s decision in April to withdraw its recognition of the self-proclaimed “Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR),” marking a significant shift in its position on the long-standing regional issue.
Beyond political matters, Morocco and Mali agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including trade, agriculture, energy, health, education, vocational training, and investment. The two sides stressed the importance of translating recent technical exchanges into concrete joint development projects.
A Morocco-Mali business forum, held alongside the commission, brought together companies from both countries to explore new investment opportunities. Several cooperation agreements were signed, with both governments committing to their effective implementation.
Mali also expressed support for King Mohammed VI’s initiative aimed at providing Sahel countries with access to the Atlantic Ocean, describing it as an important framework for promoting regional integration and economic cooperation. The joint statement also reaffirmed Bamako’s commitment to gradually implementing projects linked to the initiative, following the King’s meeting last year with the foreign ministers of the Alliance of Sahel States.
Morocco and Mali have maintained close bilateral relations for many years, with cooperation spanning education, agriculture, religious affairs, security, technical assistance, and development projects.
During his visit to Bamako, Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita was received by Mali’s Transitional President, General Assimi Goïta, who thanked King Mohammed VI for Morocco’s continued support for Mali’s sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity, while expressing Bamako’s determination to further strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors.
