Madagascar reiterated on Tuesday its explicit support for Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, backing the kingdom’s autonomy initiative as “the most realistic and viable solution” to the dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.
The position was expressed in a joint statement issued in Rabat following talks between Nasser Bourita and Madagascar’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Alice N'Diaye.
Madagascar reaffirmed its commitment to the principle of respecting the territorial integrity of United Nations member states, while voicing support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces and emphasizing the exclusive role of the United Nations in overseeing the political process surrounding the regional dispute.
The Malagasy diplomacy also expressed support for the efforts led by the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy aimed at reaching a lasting, realistic, and mutually acceptable political solution, while welcoming the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2797.
According to the joint statement, Madagascar stressed that “genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty constitutes the most viable solution,” reaffirming its full support for Morocco’s autonomy proposal, which has gained growing international backing under the leadership of Mohammed VI.
The announcement further strengthens the expanding African and international momentum in support of Morocco’s position on the Sahara issue, as more countries continue to endorse Rabat’s autonomy initiative as a credible and serious basis for resolving the conflict.
Beyond the Sahara issue, the two countries highlighted their shared determination to deepen bilateral relations within the framework of South-South cooperation and broaden strategic partnership opportunities between Rabat and Antananarivo.
The discussions focused on the positive momentum characterizing Moroccan-Malagasy relations, which both sides described as reflecting strong ties of friendship, mutual respect, and productive cooperation between the two African nations.
Madagascar’s foreign minister praised the quality of bilateral relations, recalling the impact of King Mohammed VI’s 2016 visit to Madagascar, which she said provided significant momentum for cooperation in several development sectors.
The two ministers also welcomed the opening of Madagascar’s embassy in Rabat in November 2024, describing the move as an important milestone that injected new dynamism into bilateral relations and strengthened diplomatic proximity between the two countries.
Both sides agreed to hold the second session of the joint cooperation commission in the coming months through diplomatic channels, with the aim of expanding cooperation into strategic sectors including agriculture, health, renewable energy, training, youth employment, and security.
Through this mechanism, Rabat and Antananarivo seek to transform their shared political will into concrete projects, advancing an African partnership model based on South-South cooperation and stronger continental integration.
