On July 28, 2026, Mali's Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop announced that Mali now supports Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, reversing its previous position of backing the Polisario Front. The announcement was made during a joint press conference in Bamako with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.
This shift aligns Mali with a growing number of African nations that have opened consulates in Western Sahara, including Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Gabon. The move is seen as a diplomatic victory for Morocco, which has been actively seeking international recognition for its sovereignty over the disputed territory.
The Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara, condemned Mali's decision, calling it a betrayal of the Sahrawi people. The United Nations has called for a negotiated solution, but the status quo remains with Morocco controlling most of the territory.
