The United States reiterates its recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara

In line with the position communicated by President Donald Trump to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the United States reaffirmed its recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara.

Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara

According to Anadolu, during a meeting this Tuesday, 08 April, between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, Nasser Bourita, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, the latter “reiterated that the United States holds Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara.”

During a phone conversation in December 2020, between HM King Mohammed VI and the President of the United States of America President Donald Trump, the US Président informed the Sovereign of the issuance of a presidential proclamation, an act with undeniable legal and political weight and immediate effect, announcing the decision of the United States of America to recognize the full sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over the entire Moroccan Sahara region.

Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal

The head of American diplomacy also reiterated that the US “supports Morocco’s serious, credible, and realistic Autonomy Proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to this dispute,” spokesperson for United States Department of State Tammy Bruce, said.

Marco Rubio also reiterated that the United States “continues to believe that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only feasible solution”.

In this respect, he stated that the US President is “urging for the parties to engage in discussions without delay, using Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal as the only framework to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution.” The Secretary of State “noted that the United States would facilitate progress toward this aim,” the spokesperson concluded.

The conflict in North Africa, a vast Saharan territory, has been raging for more than five decades. Since Spain abandoned its former colony in 1975, Morocco has administered approximately 80% of the territory, while the rest is in the hands of the Polisario Front.

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