Rabat – April 14, 2026
The Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe has reiterated its strong support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara and endorsed the Kingdom’s autonomy initiative as the only viable solution to the regional dispute.
During an official visit to Rabat on Tuesday, São Tomé and Príncipe’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Communities, Ilza Maria dos Santos Amado Vaz, reaffirmed her country’s unwavering stance following meetings with Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita.
Speaking to the press after the discussions, Amado Vaz emphasized her nation’s firm support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over all its territory, including the Sahara region. She reiterated that São Tomé and Príncipe fully backs Morocco’s autonomy plan, describing it as the only credible and realistic path toward resolving the long-standing dispute.
The São Toméan diplomat also welcomed the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797, noting that the resolution recognizes the Moroccan autonomy initiative as a serious, credible, and sustainable basis for achieving a political solution within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.
Amado Vaz further praised Morocco’s significant socio-economic progress in its southern provinces, highlighting the impact of the Kingdom’s New Development Model, which aims to boost infrastructure, economic growth, and regional integration while strengthening stability and security in the region.
São Tomé and Príncipe’s reaffirmed position reflects what Moroccan officials describe as a growing international consensus in support of Morocco’s autonomy initiative. This diplomatic momentum has been strongly promoted by Mohammed VI, who has led efforts to rally international backing for a political settlement based on autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.
In recent years, several countries have expressed support for Morocco’s proposal, viewing it as a pragmatic approach to ending the decades-long dispute and promoting long-term stability in North Africa.
