Sahara: Finland supports autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the most feasible solution

On Sunday, March 1, Finland affirmed its support for the autonomy plan proposed by the Kingdom of Morocco to resolve the conflict over the Sahara.

Alongside its support for the autonomy plan, Finland emphasized that “genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could be one of the most feasible solutions” for resolving the issue of the Moroccan Sahara.

This position was expressed in a joint communiqué adopted at the end of the meeting held in Rabat between Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad Nasser Bourita and Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen, who was on an official visit to Morocco.

In this regard, Finland “reiterated its support for the autonomy plan presented by Morocco,” considering it a good, serious, and credible basis for reaching a definitive and mutually acceptable political solution, the communiqué said.

The two ministers also “welcomed the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797 (2025)” and reaffirmed their support for the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution to the issue of the Moroccan Sahara, the statement added.

Adopted on October 31, 2025, Security Council Resolution 2797 emphasizes that substantial autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the most viable option for ending a conflict that has lasted more than fifty years.

This statement by Finland strengthens Morocco’s international position and is part of a dynamic to consolidate the autonomy plan as the central framework for resolving the Sahara issue.

In addition, the two ministers reaffirmed in this joint communiqué their determination to further strengthen economic and trade relations, with a focus on several strategic sectors, including digitalization, the deployment of secure, resilient, and reliable 5G networks, and information and communication technology infrastructure from trusted suppliers. Water-related technologies and renewable energies were also identified as areas of cooperation with high potential for both countries, according to the text.

The talks between the two ministers also focused on several current international issues, including the situation in the Middle East, Europe, and developments in the Sahel and Sudan.

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The two officials also discussed changes in the world order, reaffirming the importance of an international order based on the rules and principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, in particular the obligation of States to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State.

The official visit of the Finnish foreign minister to the Kingdom at the invitation of Mr. Bourita confirms the shared desire of Rabat and Helsinki to consolidate their relations and elevate them to a privileged partnership based on trust, regular political dialogue, and enhanced sectoral cooperation.

As we wrote earlier, Senegal reaffirms its support for Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara