June 19, 2026

The African Tribune

Bold, independent reporting on Africa's most important stories, in English, every day.

Burundi stands firm with Morocco on Western Sahara stance

Burundi reaffirms its unwavering support for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara

Burundi reaffirms its unwavering support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara

During a working visit to Rabat, Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edouard Bizimana, met with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, to solidify diplomatic ties and reaffirm Bujumbura’s position on the Western Sahara issue. The meeting, held on Friday, June 19, 2026, produced a joint communiqué in which the Burundian government expressed its constant and unwavering support for Morocco’s territorial integrity.

Diplomatic backing for Morocco’s autonomy plan

The Burundian government not only reiterated its support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara but also endorsed the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as the only credible and realistic solution to the regional dispute. In the joint statement, Burundi emphasized its backing for the initiative, which is currently under United Nations-led negotiations aimed at achieving a lasting political settlement.

The joint communiqué highlighted that the UN Security Council Resolution 2797 recognizes the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as a fair, durable, and mutually acceptable basis for resolving the conflict. This alignment comes as Morocco continues its global diplomatic efforts to expand and consolidate international support for its position.

A growing African consensus on Western Sahara

Burundi’s stance is part of a broader trend of African countries publicly backing Morocco’s position on Western Sahara. The endorsement of the Autonomy Plan aligns with Morocco’s strategy to strengthen ties across the continent and reinforce the validity of its proposal on the international stage.

Morocco’s ongoing diplomatic engagements seek to garner further African support, with the goal of fostering a unified stance that strengthens the legitimacy of its sovereignty claims over Western Sahara. The Burundian government’s vocal backing serves as a key milestone in these efforts, reflecting a shared commitment to regional stability and cooperation.