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U.S. Reaffirms "Clear and Consistent" Position on Moroccan Sahara Ahead of Key Diplomatic Visit

U.S. Reaffirms "Clear and Consistent" Position on Moroccan Sahara Ahead of Key Diplomatic Visit
Monday 18 December 2023 - 10:40
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In anticipation of U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Joshua Harris's upcoming diplomatic visit to Morocco, the U.S. State Department has restated its unwavering stance on the Moroccan Sahara issue. In a statement released on Sunday, the Department asserted its support for the Moroccan autonomy plan, deeming it "serious, credible, and realistic."

The communiqué emphasized that, during discussions in Rabat, the U.S. official would emphasize the absence of any alteration in the United States' "clear and consistent position," countering Algerian media claims suggesting a change in America's Sahara policy following a recent high-level visit to Algiers.

The Department's latest reaffirmation of its resolute stance dispels any misconceptions regarding alleged shifts in Washington's policy. "The United States fully endorses U.N. Personal Envoy de Mistura in facilitating a negotiation process aimed at achieving a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution" to the regional dispute, the statement further clarified.

While stressing the urgent need for a "negotiated political settlement," the Department specified that the conclusive resolution of the issue would be an outcome derived from U.N.-led talks, mutually agreed upon by the involved parties, reflecting their commitment to U.N. efforts in a spirit of realism and compromise.

"In this regard, the United States maintains its view of Morocco’s autonomy proposal as serious, credible, and realistic," the Department reiterated.

Beyond the focus on the Moroccan Sahara, Harris’s meetings in Rabat will concentrate on "strengthening U.S.-Morocco partnership and shared regional security priorities," the statement concluded.


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