Netherlands backs Moroccan autonomy plan as “most feasible” path to Sahara resolution

Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs

Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen, visiting Rabat, aligned his country firmly behind Morocco’s sovereignty framework — pledging diplomatic and economic action to follow.

Editorial Desk
Diplomatic Affairs Correspondent

Rabat — April 7, 2026

In a significant diplomatic signal, the Netherlands has formally declared that it considers genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty to be the most viable resolution to the long-running Sahara dispute. Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen made the statement at a press briefing in Rabat on Tuesday, following talks with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita.

The declaration was not merely rhetorical. It was codified in a Joint Communiqué issued by both governments, and Berendsen made clear that the Netherlands intends to act on this position at the diplomatic and economic levels, in conformity with international law — an unusually concrete commitment from a European partner.

“The Netherlands considers that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the most feasible solution.”— Tom Berendsen, Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rabat, April 7, 2026

A concrete commitment, not merely a position

What distinguishes the Dutch statement from earlier expressions of sympathy toward Morocco’s stance is its operational dimension. Berendsen explicitly stated that the Netherlands will act in line with its position at both the diplomatic and economic levels. This suggests a willingness to translate political alignment into tangible support — including, potentially, within European Union frameworks where debate over the Sahara file remains active.

Berendsen also reaffirmed the Netherlands’ backing for UN Security Council Resolution 2797 and voiced support for the efforts of Staffan de Mistura, the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, who has been tasked with facilitating negotiations grounded in Morocco’s autonomy proposal. The goal, as outlined in the Joint Communiqué, is a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution.

Morocco as a strategic anchor in a shifting geopolitical landscape

Beyond the Sahara file, Berendsen’s Rabat visit reflected a broader reassessment of Morocco’s strategic value to the Netherlands — and to Europe more widely. The Dutch minister highlighted Morocco’s geographic and diplomatic positioning as a bridge to West Africa, the Sahel, and the Gulf, describing it as a “strategic and leading partner” in the current global context.

Berendsen praised the active role Morocco plays in supporting development and stability across the Sahel region — a zone of acute geopolitical concern for European governments confronting migration pressures, jihadist activity, and shifting great-power influence. Morocco’s infrastructure development and investment climate also drew explicit commendation from the Dutch minister.

“Morocco, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, establishes itself as a trustworthy partner and a committed player to global peace and stability.”— Tom Berendsen, Rabat press briefing, April 7, 2026

Palestine, the Al-Quds Committee, and multilateral alignment

The visit also touched on the Palestinian question. Berendsen commended King Mohammed VI’s personal engagement through the Al-Quds Committee, which Morocco chairs, and praised bilateral cooperation within the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. Both governments reaffirmed their shared commitment to a two-state outcome for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — a point of alignment that underscores the depth of the bilateral relationship beyond any single dossier.

Context: a growing European consensus

The Dutch declaration adds to a gradually consolidating European posture on the Sahara question. Several EU member states have, in recent years, shifted toward recognizing Morocco’s autonomy plan as the most credible framework for a negotiated settlement. The Netherlands, as a mid-sized but diplomatically active EU member with significant trade and development ties across North Africa, brings added weight to this alignment.

Morocco’s proposal — which envisions broad self-governance for the Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty — was first presented to the UN in 2007 and has since been repeatedly described in Security Council resolutions as “serious and credible.” The addition of explicit Dutch backing, paired with a stated intention to act accordingly, represents a meaningful step in the international legitimation of that framework.