Faith Nyasuguta
The long-running dispute over Western Sahara’s future has taken a new diplomatic twist as Ghana officially joins France and the United Kingdom in supporting Morocco’s claim to the contested territory. This development signals a growing international alignment with Morocco, as tensions with Algeria, the main backer of the separatist Polisario Front, continue to rise.
In a joint statement released Thursday following high-level talks in Rabat, Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, declared that his country supports Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as “the only realistic and sustainable basis” for resolving the decades-old conflict. He echoed the sentiments of UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who earlier referred to Morocco’s proposal as “the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis” to end the standoff.
The endorsement from Ghana comes just days after the UK’s public backing of Rabat’s plan, which proposes limited self-rule for Western Sahara while remaining under Moroccan sovereignty. France had already taken a similar stance in 2024, much to the frustration of Algeria, Morocco’s key rival in the region.
The rivalry between Morocco and Algeria over Western Sahara is one of the continent’s longest-standing territorial conflicts. Morocco claims the region as part of its sovereign territory, a claim it reinforced after Spain withdrew from the area in 1975. Algeria, while not claiming the territory for itself, firmly backs the Polisario Front, a liberation movement seeking full independence for the Sahrawi people of Western Sahara.
This support has led to decades of diplomatic deadlock, periodic clashes, and strained relations between the two North African giants. With more international actors now openly taking sides, the dispute is gaining momentum on the global stage.
During the recent meeting in Rabat, Ghana and Morocco also announced plans to deepen bilateral cooperation, including negotiations on a visa waiver agreement and enhanced defense ties, a sign that Accra’s endorsement goes beyond mere diplomacy and into strategic alliance-building.
Morocco’s Autonomy Plan has slowly been gathering global support. While many nations had previously remained neutral, concerned about damaging ties with Algeria, countries like Ghana are now stepping forward in clear support of Morocco’s position.
France’s decision to back Morocco last year sparked outrage in Algiers. The Algerian foreign ministry responded by summoning the French ambassador, Stephane Romatet, for an official rebuke. Tensions escalated further when Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune used the moment to criticize France’s colonial legacy and denounce its influence in the region. Shortly after, several pro-government Algerian influencers were arrested by French authorities over accusations of inciting violence.
With Ghana now on board, Morocco’s diplomatic push appears to be gaining momentum, while Algeria faces growing isolation. As more nations take sides, the Western Sahara conflict is shifting from a regional stalemate into an increasingly polarized international battleground, one where Africa’s unity and sovereignty hang delicately in the balance.
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