Washington Reaffirms Firm Support for Morocco’s Sovereignty over the Sahara, Ending the Era of Hesitation
The U.S. administration under President Donald Trump has reaffirmed its clear and consistent stance on the Moroccan Sahara issue, renewing its explicit support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces and for the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the only serious and realistic solution to the artificial conflict. This move marks a decisive break from the ambiguity and hesitation that characterized the stance of the previous administration under Joe Biden.
This official U.S. position was expressed through two major statements: the first by the Secretary of State, and the second during a meeting with Morocco’s Foreign Minister and the UN envoy for the Sahara. On both occasions, Washington emphasized that the autonomy initiative is the only peaceful, realistic, and implementable path to resolving the dispute, in line with United Nations principles.
According to several international relations experts, this position strengthens the deep strategic partnership between Rabat and Washington, spanning political, security, economic, as well as cultural dimensions. It also reflects growing recognition of Morocco’s central role in ensuring regional stability and security, particularly in the face of rising separatist and terrorist threats.
In this context, Professor Khalid Cheyat, an international relations expert at Mohammed I University in Oujda, described the U.S. stance as “strong and firm,” with a direct impact on the political resolution process of the Sahara issue. He added that attempts by the Polisario and its backers—especially Algeria—to interpret and manipulate U.S. statements are merely efforts to prepare internal public opinion for the idea of U.S. mediation, while facts confirm that Washington’s stance is now decisively in favor of Moroccan sovereignty.
Similarly, Abdellah Abou Aouad, a professor of international relations at Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, emphasized that the Sahara file has returned with renewed force under the Trump administration, marked by a tone of determination that signals a major turning point in U.S. foreign policy toward the region. He further explained that this direction is a continuation of the official U.S. recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara and reflects Washington’s growing confidence in Morocco’s African policy.
Abou Aouad also noted that statements by some members of the U.S. Congress, labeling the Polisario as a “terrorist organization,” indicate a deep shift in how the conflict is viewed in Washington. He called for holding Polisario leaders accountable for serious human rights violations against civilians in the Tindouf camps, and for prosecuting them before international courts as “war criminals.”
This American position boosts Morocco’s hopes of finally closing the Sahara file, especially amid growing international support for the autonomy proposal. It places unprecedented diplomatic pressure on the Polisario and its Algerian sponsor, and confirms Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara as a political and strategic reality recognized by major world powers.
