Mali has announced the withdrawal of its recognition of the “Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic” (SADR) and aligned its position with Morocco’s autonomy proposal for the disputed territory.
The announcement was made on Friday in Bamako in an official statement read by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Abdoulaye Diop, following a meeting with his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita, who was visiting the Malian capital on the instructions of King Mohammed VI.
As part of what it described as a reassessment of the Western Sahara issue, Malian authorities said they had conducted a “thorough review” of the matter, which they consider crucial to sub-regional peace and security. The foreign minister noted that the decision reflects a now clearly defined political orientation regarding the dispute.
In line with this repositioning, Bamako expressed support for Morocco’s autonomy plan, describing it as “the only serious and credible basis” for reaching a solution. Malian authorities view autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as “the most realistic solution” to resolve the issue.
This shift is also accompanied by explicit backing for the United Nations framework. Mali reaffirmed its support for UN-led efforts, including those of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, and referenced relevant Security Council resolutions, notably Resolution 2797 adopted on October 31, 2025.
Extending the diplomatic implications of the move, Minister Diop stated that the decision will be formally notified to regional and international organizations of which Mali is a member, as well as to the diplomatic corps accredited in Bamako, thereby formalising a significant shift in Mali’s stance on the Sahara issue.
MK/AK/lb/as/APA