Trump comments on North African territorial dispute

Washington values its “strong” relations with Morocco and recognizes Rabat’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, the US leader has said

Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara is “serious, credible, and realistic,” and the only basis for a lasting solution to the decades-long conflict over the disputed territory, US President Donald Trump has said, according to the North African state’s MAP news agency.

Trump reportedly made the remarks in a letter to Moroccan King Mohammed VI, who marked the 26th anniversary of his coronation last week. On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Morocco one of Washington’s “oldest and closest friends” in a message congratulating King Mohammed VI.

“The United States deeply values our strong and enduring partnership with Morocco. Together we are advancing shared priorities for peace and security in the region, including by building on the Abraham Accords, combating terrorism and expanding commercial cooperation,” Trump stated, as cited by MAP on Saturday.

“I also reiterate that the United States recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara,” he added.

Western Sahara has been the source of a longstanding dispute between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which demands a UN-supervised referendum on self-determination for the Sahrawi people. Morocco, which controls most of the region and considers it part of its national territory, rejects the idea of independence, insisting its autonomy plan is the only viable solution.

READ MORE: Morocco ready to resolve ‘issues’ with neighbor

Trump first recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2020 during his first term, in a move tied to Rabat’s decision to normalize relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords.

In April, Rubio met with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and reaffirmed Washington’s call for the parties to engage in talks without delay, using Morocco’s autonomy plan as the sole basis for negotiating a mutually acceptable solution to the territorial dispute. He said the US stood ready to help facilitate progress.

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Israel, France, Portugal, and the UK have in recent years endorsed Morocco’s proposal.

Algeria, a longtime supporter of Western Saharan self-determination, has previously criticized countries backing Morocco’s proposal, warning that such “counterproductive” moves could escalate the conflict over the non-self-governing territory.

On Tuesday, King Mohammed VI said he remained open to dialogue with Algeria to ease tensions between the two neighbors.