Benin and Ghana have officially expressed support for Morocco's autonomy plan for the Western Sahara region, describing it as the only realistic and sustainable basis for resolving the long-standing dispute. The endorsements were announced during diplomatic meetings in July 2026, according to official statements from the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The autonomy plan, proposed by Morocco in 2007, offers broad self-governance for the Western Sahara region under Moroccan sovereignty. It has gained increasing international backing as a compromise solution to the conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the territory.
Benin's Foreign Minister, Shegun Adjadi Bakari, stated after talks with his Moroccan counterpart that his country considers the autonomy initiative as a credible and serious proposal. Similarly, Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, affirmed Ghana's position that the UN-led political process should be based on this framework.
The endorsements from Benin and Ghana add to a growing list of African and international countries that have opened consulates in the Western Sahara cities of Laayoune and Dakhla, signaling support for Morocco's territorial integrity. As of July 2026, over 20 countries have established diplomatic missions in the region.
The United Nations continues to mediate efforts for a political solution to the Western Sahara conflict, with Staffan de Mistura serving as the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General. The autonomy plan remains a central element in ongoing negotiations.
