The Gambia has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara region, amid longstanding tensions with Algeria over the territory. 

The Gambia noted that the Moroccan Autonomy Plan is the only realistic path towards peace in the region.

Gambia’s renewed support for Morocco came following a meeting between Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, and his Gambian counterpart, Sering Modou Njie, in Rabat on Wednesday, where both officials issued a joint communique affirming the North Africa’s country sovereignty over the Sahara region.

“The Republic of Gambia reiterated its support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara region and for the Autonomy Initiative as the only solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara,” the statement said.

The Gambian government expressed its full support for Morocco’s territorial integrity in its entirety, in the fight to claim sovereignty over the former Spanish colony and the Sahrawi people, who are the primary inhabitants of the region. 

“I reaffirmed Gambia’s support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over its entire territory, including the Sahara region, and reiterated the Republic of Gambia’s full support for the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as the only credible, serious, and realistic solution to this issue,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Mr Njie lauded the Moroccan Autonomy Plan, spearheaded by King Mohammed IV, as the only viable solution to settle the conflict over the region, which the minister said was gaining international support.