Bamako withdraws recognition of Sahrawi Republic as regional support for Rabat grows.

Mali has expressed support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, with Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop announcing the position on Friday, making it the latest African country to endorse Rabat’s approach to resolving the decades long conflict with the Algeria backed Polisario Front.

Morocco’s proposal would grant Western Sahara a locally elected legislative, executive and judicial authority, while Rabat would retain control over defence, foreign affairs and religious matters. The Polisario Front continues to push for a referendum that includes independence as an option.

Mali’s backing follows similar moves by other African nations. Kenya and Ghana supported Morocco’s autonomy plan last year, while Burkina Faso is among more than two dozen countries, mostly in Africa, that have opened consulates in Western Sahara, signalling recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the territory.

Western Sahara, a vast desert region roughly the size of Britain, has been the focus of one of Africa’s longest running territorial disputes since Spain withdrew from the territory in 1975.

Morocco maintains that the territory is part of its sovereign land, while the Polisario Front seeks to establish an independent state known as the Sahrawi Republic.

Diop also said Mali no longer recognises the Sahrawi Republic, marking a significant diplomatic shift.

In November, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution urging parties to resume negotiations based on Morocco’s autonomy proposal.

Mali’s decision comes amid rising tensions with Algeria. Last year, Mali accused Algeria of deliberately shooting down a Malian drone near their shared desert border close to Tinzaouaten in the Kidal region, claiming the act was intended to disrupt operations against armed groups.

Mali described the incident as hostile and a violation of the principle of non use of force. Algeria, however, said it had downed an armed surveillance drone that entered its airspace near the border.

Separately, Mali, along with Niger and Burkina Faso, has endorsed a Moroccan initiative aimed at granting the landlocked countries access to the Atlantic Ocean through its ports, though details of how the plan would be implemented remain unclear.