Sierra Leone Reaffirms Firm Support for Morocco’s Sovereignty over its Sahara and Backs Autonomy Plan as the Only Serious and Realistic Basis
ALDAR /
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mohamed Rahman Swarray, reaffirmed his country’s firm and steadfast support for Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity over its entire territory, including the Sahara region.
This position was expressed in a joint communiqué adopted following a meeting between Mr. Mohamed Rahman Swarray and Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, Mr. Nasser Bourita, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Sierra Leonean side also expressed its support for the Autonomy Plan presented by the Kingdom in 2007, considering it “the only serious, credible and realistic basis for the definitive settlement of the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.”
Regarding bilateral relations, Mr. Mohamed Rahman Swarray and Mr. Nasser Bourita welcomed the excellence of the ties between Morocco and Sierra Leone, which are based on mutual respect, friendship and solidarity. They reaffirmed their shared determination to inject new momentum into bilateral relations, in line with the enlightened Vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and that of the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio.
In this regard, the two countries agreed to draw up a structured, ambitious and action-oriented roadmap aimed at deepening, broadening and diversifying bilateral cooperation.
To this end, the Sierra Leonean Foreign Minister will undertake, at the invitation of Mr. Nasser Bourita, a working visit to Morocco in October 2026, on a date to be determined through diplomatic channels.
The two sides also expressed their determination to orient their partnership towards “shared prosperity” and to strengthen cooperation in several priority sectors identified by the Sierra Leonean side, notably trade, agriculture, fertilizers, investment, water management, maritime fisheries, mining, culture and capacity building.
The Sierra Leonean side further welcomed the strategic initiatives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI in support of development and regional integration in Africa, particularly the Atlantic African States Initiative and the Royal Initiative aimed at facilitating Sahel countries’ access to the Atlantic Ocean.
These initiatives, it noted, contribute to strengthening regional integration and promoting connectivity and sustainable development, within a framework based on stability, shared prosperity and active solidarity.
On another front, the two sides underscored the strategic importance of the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project, highlighting its future role in strengthening regional economic integration and its benefits for all the countries concerned, including Sierra Leone.
In this regard, they welcomed the signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement relating to the project during the Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Freetown in July 2026, considering that this megaproject will constitute an important catalyst for the region’s industrial potential and contribute to reducing its energy deficit.
