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In a significant geopolitical alignment, Ghana has formally joined France and the United Kingdom in expressing support for Morocco’s position in its long-standing regional rivalry with Algeria, particularly over the contentious issue of Western Sahara. The move signals a broader shift in West African diplomacy and raises questions about the future of African unity, Pan-Africanism, and regional cooperation.
A Diplomatic Shift: Ghana’s Position Becomes Clearer
Ghana’s Foreign Ministry, in a recent communique, affirmed its recognition of Morocco’s proposed autonomy plan for Western Sahara as “a credible and serious pathway toward a lasting and peaceful resolution.” This stance aligns with that of France and the United Kingdom, both of whom have increased their diplomatic and economic cooperation with Morocco while cooling ties with Algiers.
Though Ghana has historically maintained a balanced stance between North African powers, its latest position indicates a tilt toward Rabat at a time when diplomatic tension between Morocco and Algeria is at its peak. Algeria, which backs the Polisario Front and insists on Western Sahara’s right to self-determination, has severed diplomatic ties with Morocco since 2021.
The Western Sahara Dispute: A Long-Standing Impasse
At the heart of the regional rivalry is the disputed territory of Western Sahara a former Spanish colony claimed by both Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), the latter backed by Algeria. The United Nations considers it a “non-self-governing territory,” and efforts toward a referendum on independence have been stalled for decades.
Morocco’s proposed solution is to grant autonomy to Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty. Algeria, in contrast, supports a referendum that would allow the Sahrawi people to choose independence. This core disagreement has turned Morocco and Algeria into fierce regional rivals, with spillover effects across Africa and the broader Arab world.
Ghana’s Interests: Strategic Diplomacy or Economic Alignment?
Ghana’s backing of Morocco could be motivated by multiple strategic considerations:
• Economic Partnership: Morocco has deepened trade and investment ties with several African nations, including Ghana. In recent years, Moroccan firms have expanded in West Africa’s finance, agriculture, and construction sectors.
• Geopolitical Strategy: Aligning with France and the UK could bolster Ghana’s international diplomatic leverage, particularly in the context of its engagements at the UN and the African Union (AU).
• Pan-African Projects: Ghana and Morocco are both part of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and have shown interest in greater infrastructural integration, including the proposed Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline.
However, Ghana’s decision risks alienating Algeria, a key African partner with strong ties to the liberation history of the continent. Algeria has often emphasized African unity, anti-colonial solidarity, and self-determination principles that resonate with Ghana’s own historical narrative.
Algeria Responds: Warning Against “Foreign Interference”
Algeria has not officially responded to Ghana’s position, but sources within the Algerian foreign policy circles have warned African countries against “being used as pawns in a broader geopolitical game orchestrated by former colonial powers.”
Analysts in Algiers view France and the UK’s support for Morocco as part of a neo-colonial effort to dominate African political alignments an accusation Rabat denies.
Continental Implications: Divided AU on Western Sahara
Ghana’s decision adds to the list of African Union (AU) member states that have publicly backed Morocco’s position, a development that deepens divisions within the continental body. While many Francophone and Anglophone states support Morocco, others including South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya continue to stand with Algeria and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
This split has made it difficult for the AU to adopt a unified approach to the Western Sahara question, undermining its ability to serve as a neutral broker in the dispute.
What Comes Next?
Ghana’s move marks a notable moment in Africa’s diplomatic landscape. Whether it leads to stronger economic cooperation or greater political fallout remains to be seen. However, it also serves as a reminder of the intricate dance between sovereignty, regional solidarity, and global diplomacy that African states must navigate in an increasingly polarized world.
As the Western Sahara conflict remains unresolved, countries like Ghana will continue to face pressure to choose sides decisions that could define the continent’s political future.
