Mali supports Morocco’s autonomy plan for ‌Western Sahara, Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop said on Friday, becoming the latest African country to endorse Rabat’s vision for ending a 50-year conflict with the Algeria-backed Polisario Front.

Morocco’s proposal would establish a local legislative, ​executive and judicial authority for Western Sahara elected by its residents, while Rabat ​would retain jurisdiction over defence, foreign affairs and religious matters. The Polisario ⁠Front wants to hold a referendum with independence as an option.

Mali’s endorsement follows similar moves ​by other countries in the region. Kenya and Ghana backed Morocco’s autonomy plan last year. Burkina Faso ​is one of more than two dozen mostly African states that have a consulate in Western Sahara, reflecting full endorsement of Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed territory.

Western Sahara, a tract of desert the size of ​Britain, has been the subject of Africa’s longest-running territorial dispute since colonial power Spain left ​in 1975.

Morocco considers the territory its own, while the Polisario Front seeks to establish an independent state ‌called ⁠the Sahrawi Republic.

Diop, Mali’s foreign minister, said on Friday that Mali was no longer recognizing the Sahrawi Republic.
In November, the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution calling on the parties to resume negotiations on the basis of Morocco’s autonomy plan.

MALI-ALGERIA TENSIONS HIGH OVER DRONE DISPUTE
Mali’s decision comes ​amid heightened tensions with ​Algeria.

Mali said last year ⁠that Algeria deliberately shot down a Malian drone along their shared desert border near Tinzaouaten in Mali’s Kidal region, alleging the downing was ​intended to hinder operations by Malian forces against armed groups.

Mali described ​the incident ⁠as a hostile act and a violation of the principle of non-use of force.
Algeria has said its forces shot down an armed surveillance drone that violated its airspace near the border.

Separately Mali, ⁠together ​with Niger and Burkina Faso, has endorsed a Moroccan plan ​to give them access to the Atlantic Ocean through its ports, though it is unclear how the plan would ​be implemented.