The U.S. support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara: A position reaffirmed under the Trump administration

Tuesday 29 April 2025 - 09:03

By: Zahouani Ilham

The U.S. support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara: A position reaffirmed under the Trump administration

The United States' support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara marked a significant step in the Kingdom’s international relations. This support, initially offered during Donald Trump’s first term, has only grown stronger. On April 8, 2025, during a visit by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita to Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated this position clearly, emphasizing the importance of Morocco’s autonomy plan as the only viable solution to the Sahara dispute.

A Crucial Recognition for Morocco

During the meeting between Marco Rubio and Nasser Bourita, the U.S. position was reaffirmed, as noted by U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce. She stated, “The U.S. recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and supports Morocco’s credible, serious, and realistic autonomy proposal as the only basis for a fair and lasting solution.” This declaration further strengthens Morocco’s diplomatic standing, particularly after the growing international support for its autonomy plan.

The Trump administration not only recognized Morocco's sovereignty in 2020 but continues to insist on autonomy as the framework for any future negotiations. This approach is marked by pragmatism, urging all parties involved to engage in constructive discussions for a sustainable resolution. In essence, the U.S. encourages Morocco, the Polisario Front, and other regional actors to explore a mutually acceptable solution, using Morocco’s proposal as the starting point.

Growing Support for the Autonomy Plan

Morocco has made the recognition of its autonomy plan for the Sahara a central pillar of its foreign policy. In recent years, support for this initiative has increased globally. The number of countries establishing consular representations in the Sahara has risen, and nations such as Burkina Faso, Jordan, Chad, Haiti, Djibouti, and Senegal have made a clear diplomatic choice in favor of this proposal. In 2021, the U.S. itself opened a consulate in Dakhla, further reinforcing its support.

In January 2025, Ghana decided to suspend its relations with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), a move that was welcomed by Morocco as a concrete step toward the recognition of its sovereignty over the Sahara.

Diplomatic Repercussions for Morocco

The support of the U.S., along with that of other nations, signals a significant shift in regional diplomatic dynamics. This support is seen as a mark of seriousness by Morocco, which now views the recognition of its autonomy plan as a critical element in its relations with other states. The recognition movement has even expanded beyond Africa. In Europe, France took a decisive step last summer when President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara, a decision that sparked a major diplomatic crisis with Algeria.

In February 2025, key French government figures, including the Minister of Culture and the President of the Senate, visited the region to officially confirm this diplomatic shift. France’s recognition strengthened Morocco's international standing and marked a diplomatic victory.