Canada has officially recognized Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara as a credible basis for resolving the long-standing regional dispute, according to a statement from Global Affairs Canada on April 29, 2026. The decision aligns Canada with a growing number of Western nations that have endorsed the Moroccan proposal.
The Canadian government stated that the autonomy plan, presented by Morocco in 2007, offers a realistic and pragmatic approach to achieving a mutually acceptable political solution. Canada emphasized its support for the United Nations-led process and called for renewed negotiations between the parties involved.
Morocco's autonomy proposal envisions a semi-autonomous Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty, with local governance and legislative powers. The plan has been endorsed by several countries, including the United States, France, and Spain, as a serious and credible effort to end the conflict.
The Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara, has rejected the autonomy plan and continues to advocate for a UN-supervised referendum on self-determination. The dispute remains a source of tension in North Africa, with implications for regional stability and cooperation.
