U.S. President Donald Trump has reaffirmed support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, stating that Morocco’s autonomy plan for the territory remains the only viable solution to the long-standing dispute, according to Morocco’s state news agency MAP on Saturday.
The decades-old conflict pits Morocco which considers Western Sahara an integral part of its territory against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks to establish an independent state in the region.
Trump first recognised Moroccan claims to Western Sahara at the end of his first term in office, as part of a broader agreement in which Morocco normalised diplomatic relations with Israel under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords. The disputed territory is known for its phosphate reserves and rich fishing grounds.
Although U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed this policy position in April, Trump’s latest remarks are his first direct comments on the issue since beginning his second term.
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“I also reiterate that the United States recognises Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and supports Morocco’s serious, credible, and realistic autonomy proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute,” MAP quoted Trump as saying in a message to Morocco’s King Mohammed VI.
“Together, we are advancing shared priorities for peace and security in the region including building on the Abraham Accords, combating terrorism, and expanding commercial cooperation,” Trump added.
As part of the Abraham Accords signed during his first term, four Muslim-majority countries agreed to normalise diplomatic ties with Israel following U.S. mediation.
In June this year, Britain became the third permanent member of the U.N. Security Council after the U.S. and France to express support for Morocco’s autonomy plan under its sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Algeria which recognises the self-declared Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic has refused to participate in U.N.-led roundtable talks and continues to call for a referendum that includes the option of full independence.
