The United States reaffirms its support for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara
During a meeting in Washington, the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, reiterated his country's firm support for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara. During the meeting with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, Rubio reaffirmed that the US position, established during Donald Trump's previous term in December 2020, remains in force as Washington's official policy.
⛔️ #واشنطن تؤكد دعمها الثابت لمغربية الصحراء 🇲🇦 قبيل جلسة مجلس الأمن.
— العيون ♥️👑🇲🇦 (@la3yon_OFFICIEL) April 8, 2025
وزير الخارجية الأمريكي ماركو روبيو 🦅 يُبلغ نظيره المغربي ناصر بوريطة 🇲🇦 هذا الموقف الحازم في واشنطن. #المغرب #روبيو #بوريطة pic.twitter.com/n1ccqLKKOY
‘The United States recognises Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and supports Morocco's proposal for serious, credible and realistic autonomy as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute,’ said State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce in a statement after the meeting.
The conflict in Western Sahara, a vast desert territory rich in natural resources such as phosphates and fishing waters, has been going on for more than five decades. Since Spain abandoned its former colony in 1975, Morocco has controlled approximately 80% of the territory, while the rest is in the hands of the Polisario Front, an independence movement backed by Algeria.
During the meeting, Rubio emphasised the need to resume negotiations between the parties involved, stressing that ‘Morocco's proposal for autonomy must serve as the only framework for reaching a mutually acceptable solution’. In this regard, he also pointed out that the United States is willing to facilitate progress towards this goal.
Marc Rubio, secretario de Estado estadounidense de Asuntos Exteriores, reafirmó que Estados Unidos reconoce la soberanía marroquí sobre el #SáharaOccidental y apoya la propuesta de autonomía seria, creíble y realista de Marruecos como la única base para una solución justa y… pic.twitter.com/dKg8TIJC50
— Lahcen Haddad, PhD (@Lahcenhaddad) April 8, 2025
In this way, the US Administration is once again urging the Polisario Front and Algeria to sit down at the negotiating table ‘without delay’, reiterating the call made by former President Trump in his first term, when he formally recognised Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. This decision formed part of a broader diplomatic agreement, through which Morocco agreed to normalise its relations with Israel within the Abraham Accords.
In addition to Western Sahara, the meeting between Rubio and Bourita also addressed issues of regional interest, including the evolution of the Abraham Accords and the war in the Gaza Strip. The head of US diplomacy praised Rabat's role in efforts to promote peace and stability in the Middle East, emphasising its contribution to the well-being of both Israelis and Palestinians. They also discussed the situation of the hostages held by Hamas and the Israeli military offensive in Gaza.
Recognition of the Moroccan Sovereignty over the Sahara: In line with the position communicated by President Trump to HM King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, the United States of America reiterates its recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Saharahttps://t.co/apkofPi3R8 pic.twitter.com/TiFeWWPGH4
— Moroccan Diplomacy 🇲🇦 (@Marocdiplo_EN) April 8, 2025
Morocco has maintained a strategic relationship with the United States for decades, strengthened by a Free Trade Agreement in force since 2005 and by solid cooperation in security and defence matters. This alliance is manifested, among other aspects, in the joint military manoeuvres ‘African Lion’, considered the most important on the African continent and organised annually for more than twenty years.
Despite growing international support for the Moroccan autonomy plan, which has also been joined by France in 2023 and Spain in 2022, the process promoted by the United Nations remains stalled. However, the US position reaffirmed by Marco Rubio represents key support for Morocco's diplomatic strategy in its search for a definitive solution to the long-standing conflict in Western Sahara.
Rabat insists that autonomy is the only basis for any future negotiations, while the Polisario Front and Algeria insist on the holding of a referendum on self-determination that includes independence as an option.
Furthermore, Algeria has repeatedly stated that it will not participate in negotiations where this possibility is not considered, and has rejected the round tables proposed by the UN special envoy to the conflict. It has also officially recognised the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), significantly straining relations with its Moroccan neighbour.
