Morocco's foreign minister condemns exclusion of Sahara from maps as attack on territorial integrity

Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita has condemned the publication of maps of Morocco that exclude the Sahara, calling it «an attack on our territorial integrity and on the diplomatic and international progress made regarding the Moroccan Sahara». His remarks were made in response to a written question submitted by Naima El Fathaoui, a member of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), addressing this sensitive issue.

Bourita explained that, «given the importance of this matter and its implications», the Ministry has adopted «a strategy based on vigilance and strict monitoring of how Morocco’s map is displayed on various websites, along with swift action to correct any inaccuracies».

This approach also includes «a proactive component that involves monitoring the organization of international forums to ensure the full map of the Kingdom is displayed».

The minister emphasized that «Moroccan embassies and consulates abroad are constantly monitoring all official publications and websites in the countries where they are accredited». Whenever a truncated map of Morocco is spotted, «they immediately contact the relevant authorities to demand corrections».

These efforts have yielded results. «Many institutions and websites that initially published incomplete maps of Morocco have since apologized to Moroccan authorities», Bourita noted.

He also pointed out that «in many cases, websites are managed by private companies unaware of the political context surrounding the Moroccan Sahara issue. Often, the same countries where these errors occur have reaffirmed their strong support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara».

Bourita reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to «countering malicious disinformation campaigns led by the enemies of our territorial integrity».

Meanwhile, Algeria has been actively campaigning against the inclusion of the Sahara in maps of Morocco since February 2021. Notably, the opening ceremony of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2024), hosted by Morocco, featured a map of the Kingdom that excluded the Sahara.