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Burundi Reaffirms Solidarity with Morocco Over Sahara Dispute
In a significant diplomatic gesture, Burundi has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Morocco's territorial integrity, including the contentious region of Sahara. This endorsement occurred during a high-level diplomatic meeting in Rabat, underscoring Burundi's commitment amidst a growing wave of African nations backing Morocco's stance.
Burundian Foreign Minister Albert Shingiro met with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, where he reiterated that Burundi's support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan represents "the only credible and realistic solution" to the ongoing regional dispute over Sahara. Shingiro further acknowledged the efforts of the United Nations, designating it as the "exclusive framework" for achieving a viable and lasting resolution to the issue.
The implications of Burundi’s reaffirmation were quickly noted by Algerian political analyst Oualid Kebir, who remarked on social media that this represented a “strong slap” to Algeria’s diplomatic initiatives aimed at swaying Burundi's position. Kebir's comments reflect a perception that Algeria's recent diplomatic efforts have been ineffective.
This latest support follows Burundi's establishment of a consulate general in Laayoune, the largest city in Sahara, in February 2020. This move marked a significant shift, as it was the sixth diplomatic representation opened in Laayoune within a three-month span, indicating a growing trend of African support for Morocco's claims.
The number of African countries supporting Morocco's position continues to rise, with Chad recently opening a consulate in Dakhla, bringing the total number of diplomatic missions in Morocco’s southern territory to 29. The Moroccan Center for Parallel Diplomacy and Civilizational Dialogue has noted that Morocco’s reintegration into the African Union (AU) in 2017 has been a pivotal strategy in enhancing its diplomatic outreach concerning Sahara.
In its recent report, the center pointed out Morocco's ongoing challenges within the AU, especially regarding the legal and political complexities posed by the presence of the Polisario Front in the organization. To counter this, Morocco aims to build a "broad African front" to support its position, leveraging pragmatic relationships, economic partnerships, and security collaborations with African allies within AU frameworks.
Moreover, the center emphasized the importance of preparing a comprehensive legal argument to challenge the Polisario's membership in the AU. This argument would focus on the lack of UN recognition of the Polisario as a sovereign state and its disputed claim to represent the Sahrawi people.
As the diplomatic landscape continues to evolve, the backing from Burundi and other African nations not only bolsters Morocco’s position but also highlights the complexities of regional geopolitics surrounding the Sahara issue.