Moroccan Sahara: The Netherlands Considers Genuine Autonomy Under Moroccan Sovereignty as Most Feasible Solution to This Dispute, Intends to Act Accordingly

April 7, 2026

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Tom Berendsen, speaking at a press briefing held Tuesday in Rabat following his meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, stated that “the Netherlands considers that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the most feasible solution” to the dispute over the Sahara.

This position was also affirned in a Joint Communiqué issued following talks between Bourita and Berendsen, who is on a working visit to Morocco on April 7 and 8.

Berendsen further reaffirmed the Netherlands’ support for United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797, as well as for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura, to “facilitate and conduct negotiations based on the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco, with a view to achieving a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution.”

Moreover, according to the Joint Communiqué, the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that “the Netherlands will act in line with its position, including at the diplomatic and economic levels, in accordance with international law.”