A new shift in Kenya’s position concerning the Western Sahara issue

Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita shakes hands with the newly elected President of Kenya, William Ruto, at State House Nairobi on September 14, 2022.
Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita shakes hands with the newly elected President of Kenya, William Ruto, at State House Nairobi on September 14, 2022.

Following the message of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to the new President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto, the Republic of Kenya said that “In deference to the principle of territorial integrity and non-interference, The Republic of Kenya extends total support to the serious and credible autonomy plan proposed by the Kingdom of Morocco, as the unique solution based on Morocco’s territorial integrity to solve the Sahara issue”, the joint statement said.

“The Republic of Kenya supports the United Nations framework as the exclusive mechanism to find a lasting and durable political solution of the dispute over Sahara issue,” the same source added.

In the light of this decision, Morocco and Kenya have committed to upscale their bilateral diplomatic relationship to a strategic partnership within 6 months, says the statement, adding that the Republic of Kenya is committed to open its Embassy in Rabat.

It was also agreed to immediately accelerate economic, trade and social relations in the areas of fisheries, agriculture & food security (fertilizer importation), health, tourism, renewable energy, security collaboration, and cultural, religious and people to people exchange among other sectors.