U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated on Tuesday the United States’ consistent stance supporting Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara.
During an official visit to Washington, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita met with Secretary Rubio, who described Morocco’s autonomy proposal for the Sahara as “serious, credible, and realistic.”
Washington maintains that the Moroccan autonomy plan is “the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute.”
Secretary Rubio emphasized that the US views this initiative as the sole viable path to achieving a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political resolution to the Sahara issue. He also recalled President Donald Trump’s call for stakeholders to immediately commence negotiations based exclusively on Morocco’s autonomy plan. The Secretary of State affirmed the United States’ readiness to facilitate progress towards this objective as part of its commitment to regional stability.
Earlier in the day, Minister Bourita also met with Mike Waltz, former National Security Advisor under President Trump. Their discussion centered on strengthening the strategic partnership between Rabat and Washington, particularly in political, security, and economic domains.
These meetings occur at a critical diplomatic juncture, with the United Nations Security Council soon to deliberate on the Sahara situation. They also underscore the continued positive bilateral momentum since the Trump administration’s landmark recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the territory in December 2020.
Following a period of perceived easing under the Biden administration, Washington is now strongly reaffirming its support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara.
Alongside France, the United States reportedly intends to advocate within the UN Security Council for the recognition of this sovereignty through Morocco’s proposed autonomy plan.
MK/Sf/ac/fss/abj/APA