RABAT (Realist English). Gambian Foreign Minister Sering Modou Njie has reiterated his country’s firm backing of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a viable and credible framework to resolve the decades-long dispute over Western Sahara.
“This is the position of Gambia and all Gambians,” Njie said during a visit to the Moroccan capital on Tuesday. “We will continue to promote and stand ready to support the Moroccan autonomy plan. We believe this is a credible plan.”
The minister made the statement following talks with his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita, where he reaffirmed Gambia’s commitment to supporting Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Gambia has been among the most consistent African supporters of Morocco’s claim over the Western Sahara. In January 2020, it became one of the first countries to open a consulate in Dakhla, a symbolic move that reinforced Banjul’s recognition of Moroccan authority over the region.
Dakhla and Laayoune, the two main cities in Western Sahara, now host more than 30 consular missions from African, Arab, and Caribbean nations — all publicly aligned with Morocco’s position on the territory.
Morocco’s Autonomy Plan, first introduced in 2007, proposes a self-governing status for Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty. The initiative has gained international traction as a compromise solution, though it remains opposed by the Polisario Front, which seeks full independence for the territory.