Guinea-Bissau backs Morocco's Sahara position, praises its African vision — and agrees to a September economic week in Morocco. Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Communities Fatumata Jau reiterated on Monday in Rabat her country’s steadfast and unwavering support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over its entire territory, including the Sahara region. Speaking at a press conference following talks with Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita, Jau reaffirmed Guinea-Bissau’s full support for the autonomy plan presented by Morocco as the only credible and realistic solution to resolving what she described as an artificial dispute.
Jau pointed to the opening of Guinea-Bissau’s Consulate General in Dakhla in October 2020 as a tangible confirmation of the strength of the partnership between the two countries, noting that the move falls in line with the international momentum in support of Morocco’s autonomy plan and sovereignty over its Sahara. She also welcomed the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2797, which establishes the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty as the basis for a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution.
Guinea-Bissau welcomed the progress achieved on the Africa-Atlantic Gas Pipeline project linking Nigeria to Morocco, calling it an exemplary symbol of South-South cooperation. — Joint statement · Bourita–Jau talks · Rabat, 29 June 2026
Praising Morocco’s African initiatives
In a joint statement issued following the talks, Guinea-Bissau lauded initiatives launched by King Mohammed VI in support of Africa’s rise and development. Jau welcomed the momentum generated through the Atlantic African States Process — a geostrategic framework offering significant opportunities for synergy, cooperation, and development in strategic areas for the benefit of its member countries.
She also commended the Royal Initiative to promote access to the Atlantic Ocean for Sahel countries, highlighting its strategic significance as part of Morocco’s active solidarity with African nations. Guinea-Bissau further welcomed progress on the Africa-Atlantic Gas Pipeline project linking Nigeria to Morocco, describing it as an exemplary symbol of South-South cooperation.
Deepening bilateral cooperation
The two ministers reviewed the state of bilateral cooperation, described as very positive across various fields, and spoke of transforming the partnership into a model of intra-African cooperation based on solidarity, exchange, and sharing. They referenced the momentum generated by King Mohammed VI’s visit to Guinea-Bissau in June 2015, which helped trace the framework for strategic cooperation through bilateral agreements and strengthened cooperation mechanisms.
Bourita and Jau agreed to work toward further promoting cooperation in vocational training, health, telecommunications, agriculture and marine fisheries, tourism, port management and operations, mining, finance, and institutional capacity building. They also called for continued implementation of agreements signed during the 4th Joint Cooperation Commission, held on July 16, 2024, in Laayoune.
The two officials agreed to organise a week-long event to promote Guinea-Bissau’s economy in Morocco in September, with a view to reinforcing Moroccan investment in sectors targeted by Guinea-Bissau. They also emphasised the importance of establishing a Moroccan-Guinea-Bissau Business Council to foster the development of trade between the two countries.