Ambassador of the Royal Kingdom of Morocco to Tanzania Zakaria El Goumiri
By Zakaria El Goumiri
Across the African continent and beyond, a growing number of influential nations have recognized the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the only viable, credible, and peaceful solution to the regional dispute over the Sahara.
The recent support from Kenya, a key East African leader, sends a strong and timely message.
It is now essential for fellow African nations, including Tanzania and Uganda, to stand with a vision of African unity and sovereignty.
The Moroccan autonomy plan, presented in 2007, proposes meaningful self-governance for the Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty.
It has earned strong international backing, including from the United States, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and now Kenya. The countries understand that this conflict, manufactured and sustained by we know who which continues to hinder regional integration, cooperation, and prosperity.
Africa cannot afford to remain neutral in the face of an artificial crisis. Supporting the Moroccan plan is not about taking sides in a rivalry, it is about affirming Africa’s capacity to solve its own problems, in line with the AU’s principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
As Morocco invests heavily in regional development, infrastructure, and South-South cooperation, including in East Africa, it is time for our African partners to join the solution, not the deadlock.
The window for constructive diplomacy is open. Tanzania and Uganda, known for their historic commitment to peace and Pan-African values, can play a meaningful role in reinforcing the consensus for a lasting solution.
Let us embrace an African-led, UN-supported solution that serves peace, unity, and dignity for all.
