Mali has withdrawn its recognition of the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)

Mali has withdrawn its recognition of the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and endorsed the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco as the "only serious and credible basis" for resolving the Western Sahara conflict.

The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR, also known as the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic or in Spanish as República Árabe Saharaui Democrática – RASD, often referred to internationally as SADR) is a partially recognized state that claims the territory of Western Sahara. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) was proclaimed on February 27, 1976, in Bir Lehlu (Bir Lehlou) by the Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguía el Hamra and Río de Oro). This occurred shortly after Spain's withdrawal from its former colony of Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) at the end of 1975. The Polisario Front, a liberation movement of the indigenous Sahrawi people (a nomadic people of Arab-Berber origin), considered itself the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people and proclaimed independence to prevent colonization by Morocco and Mauritania. Morocco claims the entire territory as its "Southern Provinces" and has controlled most of it (approximately 75–80%) since the 1970s, primarily the economically important coastal and phosphate regions. Mauritania withdrew in 1979 and temporarily recognized the DARS. A guerrilla war ensued, lasting until a ceasefire in 1991. The United Nations established the MINURSO mission to organize a referendum on the territory's future (independence or integration into Morocco) – however, this referendum never took place. The DARS controls only about 20–25% of the claimed territory (the so-called “Free Zone” or “Liberated Areas” in the east, mostly desert). The majority of Sahrawis (estimated at over 100,000–170,000) live in refugee camps near Tindouf in Algeria, where the DARS government is in exile and organizes social services (education, health). The DARS names El Aaiún (Laayoune) as its capital, but it is under Moroccan control. Tifariti serves as the administrative center in the controlled territories. Brahim Ghali is the president (and also the secretary general of the Polisario). The DARS has been a full member of the African Union (AU) since 1984. Morocco subsequently withdrew from the AU in protest and only returned in 2017. The Sahara is recognized by approximately 40–50 states (as of recent years, though this number fluctuates), including many African and Latin American countries. In total, over 80 states have recognized it at some point, but some (e.g., Peru and Bolivia more recently) have withdrawn or suspended their recognition. It has no seat at the United Nations. The UN continues to regard Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory and calls for a peaceful solution. Morocco enjoys increasing support from the West (including the USA, France, and Spain), some of which support Morocco's autonomy plan for the region. Algeria remains the main supporter of the Polisario Front/DARS. The conflict is considered one of the longest unresolved in Africa. The Sahrawi people continue to demand a self-determination referendum, while Morocco offers them greater autonomy within the kingdom. The 1991 ceasefire is fragile, and tensions flare up repeatedly. On Friday, April 10, 2026, Mali withdrew its recognition of Western Sahara. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bamako, the junta government justified this decision with a "thorough analysis" of the Western Sahara issue, which it deemed important for peace and security in the sub-regional Sahel. In 2007, Morocco presented an autonomy plan for Western Sahara. This plan envisioned the creation of an autonomous region within the kingdom, while maintaining Moroccan sovereignty over the territory. The proposal emerged amidst a protracted conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front, which seeks the independence of Western Sahara. According to the Moroccan proposal, Western Sahara would have been granted the status of an autonomous region. The local population would have had the right to control the executive, legislative, and judicial branches through elected institutions. At the same time, Morocco, under the authority of the king, would have retained control over defense, foreign policy, and religious affairs. Morocco also declared its willingness to amend the constitution to enshrine autonomy and grant a general amnesty to those involved in the conflict. Mali announces its support for Morocco's proposed autonomy plan for Western Sahara, viewing it as the "only serious and credible basis" for resolving the dispute. The government emphasizes that "genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty" is the most realistic solution, while also referring to the role of UN Security Council Resolution 2797 (2025) and the UN procedures. The decision is part of a broader trend in which several African states are withdrawing or suspending their previous recognition of the DARS and instead aligning themselves with Morocco's position. Mali also intends to communicate the reversal of its vote to regional and international organizations, as well as to its embassies accredited in Bamako, underscoring the significance of this move within African and Western Saharan diplomacy. In 2007, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1754, praising the Moroccan plan and calling for negotiations between the parties. However, the UN-mediated negotiations in 2007/2008 failed to produce a breakthrough. The situation changed in 2025. On October 31, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2797, which designated Morocco's autonomy plan as a "basis for negotiations." The document made no mention of the referendum on Western Sahara's independence. The resolution was supported by eleven countries, with three countries (Russia, China, and Pakistan) abstaining. Algeria did not participate in the vote. The resolution called on Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria, and Mauritania to negotiate without preconditions based on the Moroccan plan. It also extended the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission MINURSO for another year. The Moroccan plan was supported by the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and several other countries, including Spain, Germany, Belgium, and Portugal. In 2022, Spain officially endorsed the plan as the “most serious, credible, and realistic basis” for resolving the conflict. In 2025, the United Kingdom joined in this support. Algeria consistently rejected the plan, arguing that it violated the right of peoples to self-determination and international law, in particular the 1975 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which did not recognize Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara. The conflict over Western Sahara remains unresolved. The Polisario Front continues to insist on an independence referendum, while Morocco adheres to its autonomy plan. The situation is further complicated by the geopolitical interests of the countries in the region and the international community, as well as by disagreements over the status of the territory and the rights of the population.