By Abdoulie John
The Gambia has thrown its full weight behind Morocco’s autonomy proposal for Western Sahara, calling it the “only solution” to one of Africa’s longest-running territorial disputes.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Rabat on Wednesday alongside Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Gambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sering Modou Njie, welcomed the latest United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797 and explicitly reaffirmed his country’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the territory.
“The autonomy plan presented by Morocco remains the only credible and realistic solution,” Minister Njie declared, praising the U.S.-initiated framework that has gained increasing international backing.
Resolution 2797, adopted earlier this year, extends the mandate of the UN mission (MINURSO) while emphasizing a “realistic, pragmatic, and lasting political solution” – language widely interpreted as endorsement of Morocco’s 2007 autonomy initiative.
The Gambia has long been one of Morocco’s staunchest African allies on the Western Sahara issue, maintaining consistent diplomatic support even after Morocco rejoined the African Union in 2017.
During the visit, Minister Njie also pledged to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, education, agriculture, and infrastructure, signaling intent to elevate the already warm relations between Banjul and Rabat in the coming years.
The joint appearance underscored growing momentum behind Morocco’s position, as more countries move away from recognizing the Polisario Front’s self-declared Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
