Benin reaffirms support for Morocco’s Sahara sovereignty
Morocco and Benin have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across key sectors during the seventh session of their Joint Cooperation Commission held in Cotonou.
The meeting was co-chaired by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Beninese Foreign Minister Corinne Amori Brunet, alongside senior officials from both countries. Discussions focused on deepening collaboration in trade, investment, industry, tourism, agriculture, security, justice, higher education, scientific research, healthcare, culture, vocational training, and the digital economy.
The two governments welcomed the progress achieved since His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s official visit to Benin in 2004. They highlighted the strong political ties linking Rabat and Cotonou and expressed their ambition to build a model partnership for African cooperation based on solidarity, mutual respect, and shared development objectives.
A major focus of the discussions was the reinforcement of economic relations. Both countries pledged to encourage greater private sector participation to boost trade flows and support development projects that can generate growth and employment opportunities.
On the issue of the Moroccan Sahara, Benin reiterated its unwavering support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over all its territory. In the final communiqué, the Beninese government reaffirmed its endorsement of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the sole credible and realistic solution to the regional dispute.
Corinne Amori Brunet also welcomed the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797, which continues to support a political process aimed at achieving a lasting and mutually acceptable solution. She announced plans to visit Dakhla in the near future to assess the region’s economic and social progress and explore new avenues for cooperation. The next session of the Joint Cooperation Commission is expected to take place in the southern Moroccan city.
The Beninese minister further praised initiatives launched by HM King Mohammed VI to strengthen regional integration and economic development across Africa. She highlighted the growing momentum of the Atlantic African States Process following its seventh ministerial meeting in Cotonou earlier this month.
Benin also expressed support for Morocco’s initiative to facilitate Atlantic Ocean access for Sahel countries and improve their integration into regional transport and communication networks.
The commission’s meeting came shortly after another significant development for regional connectivity. Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States recently approved the intergovernmental agreement for the Nigeria-Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a major infrastructure project linking West African countries to Morocco.
Benin is among the coastal states that will host sections of the planned pipeline. Developed jointly by Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines and Nigeria’s National Petroleum Company, the project is expected to extend approximately 6,800 kilometers and represent an investment estimated at around $25 billion.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Bourita was received by Beninese President Romuald Wadagni, who conveyed greetings to HM King Mohammed VI and reaffirmed his determination to further strengthen cooperation between the two nations across all sectors.
