Kenya supports Morocco’s Western Sahara autonomy initiative, according to a joint statement

Kenya, one of many African, Arab, and Western nations that have shifted toward supporting Rabat in the five-decade struggle, announced on Monday that it supports Morocco’s proposal to grant autonomy to the disputed Western Sahara region under the authority of the North African monarchy.

The long-frozen battle, which dates back to 1975, sets Morocco, which claims the land as its own, against the Polisario front, which is supported by Algeria and aims to establish an independent state in the desert.

Kenya stated in a joint statement following discussions between the foreign ministers of the two nations in Rabat that it sees the Moroccan offer as the only viable and practical solution.

On Monday, Kenya inaugurated an embassy in Rabat following 60 years of bilateral diplomatic relations with Morocco.

According to the joint declaration, Morocco, a major producer of fertilizer and phosphates, has promised to expedite soil nutrient shipments to Kenya immediately. The two nations also intend to collaborate on security, tourism, fisheries, renewable energy, and cultural and religious matters.

Kenya’s stance on Western Sahara, which he referred to as “the national cause,” gave bilateral relations a fresh boost, Morocco’s foreign minister Nasser Bourita told reporters.

To balance its commerce, Kenya wants to export more fresh vegetables, tea, and coffee to Morocco, stated Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi on his X account.

The joint statement added that Kenya supported a Moroccan effort that would allow landlocked Sahel governments to access international trade via Morocco’s Atlantic ports.