Burundi backs Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara

Foreign ministers Nasser Bourita (Morocco) and Édouard Bizimana (Burundi) during their meeting in Rabat on June 19, 2026

Strengthened diplomatic ties over the Sahara question

Rabat, June 19, 2026 — The Republic of Burundi has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Morocco’s full sovereignty over its territorial integrity, including the Western Sahara region. This stance was clearly articulated during high-level talks in Rabat between Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Édouard Bizimana, and his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita.

Following the meeting, the two nations issued a joint communiqué in which Bujumbura not only backed Rabat’s autonomy plan as the sole credible and realistic solution to the regional dispute but also expressed strong endorsement for the United Nations-led efforts to advance negotiations grounded in this proposal.

Regional backing for Morocco’s autonomy initiative

Burundi’s renewed commitment aligns with the growing wave of African support for Morocco’s position on the Sahara issue. In their discussions, Bizimana and Bourita highlighted the significance of UN Security Council Resolution 2797, which the Burundian delegation praised for officially recognizing the autonomy plan as the foundation for a fair, lasting, and mutually acceptable political settlement.

This diplomatic reinforcement comes as Morocco continues to expand its outreach across the continent to consolidate international backing for its initiative. The meeting in Rabat underscores the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations and their shared vision for a peaceful resolution to the decades-long territorial question.

With this latest show of solidarity, Burundi joins a growing list of African countries that have publicly endorsed Morocco’s efforts to achieve a durable solution under Moroccan sovereignty.