When Morocco plays the free trade card to consolidate its sovereignty over the Sahara

Morocco is increasingly asserting itself as a strategic player in international trade, in particular thanks to the signing of free trade agreements which include the southern provinces of the Kingdom. This integration indirectly strengthens the recognition of their Moroccanness by partner countries.

Recently, the Eurasian Economic Union, made up of Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, expressed interest in a free trade agreement with Morocco. This initiative is part of a strategy aimed at diversifying economic partnerships and strengthening trade with emerging economies. Similar agreements have already been concluded with countries such as China, Vietnam, and Singapore.

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The inclusion of the southern provinces in such agreements offers Morocco a unique opportunity to consolidate its position on the international scene. Indeed, when these provinces are part of the economic framework of bilateral or multilateral trade, this amounts to an implicit recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.

A strengthened economic strategy

Morocco, with its existing trade agreements with major economic blocs such as the United States and the European Union, has shown its ability to take advantage of the opportunities offered by these partnerships. The Kingdom’s integration into new blocs, such as the Eurasian Economic Union, could open more markets for Moroccan products, particularly in the phosphates, agricultural products and fisheries sectors.

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Furthermore, these agreements are not limited to economic benefits. They also represent a diplomatic opportunity for Morocco, which uses these partnerships to consolidate its bilateral relations while asserting the Moroccanness of the Sahara on the international stage. Each economic partnership is therefore a strategic tool to anchor this reality.

A key geopolitical positioning

Morocco’s strategic geographic position, at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and global maritime routes, also plays a central role. This positioning makes it an essential partner for economies like Russia, which seeks to strengthen its presence in Africa. Morocco, thanks to its modern infrastructure, notably its ports and logistics corridors, constitutes an ideal gateway to the African market.

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Furthermore, the evolution of trade relations with blocs like the Eurasian Economic Union can help diversify Morocco’s partners, thus reducing its dependence on certain traditional markets while strengthening its economic and political attractiveness.

For a cautious approach

Despite the potential advantages, Morocco, based on previous experiences, will approach these negotiations with caution. Previous agreements have sometimes generated imbalances, to the detriment of the national economy. It is essential that new agreements be developed from a “win-win” perspective, ensuring that the country’s economic interests are fully preserved.

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This means that in this context the economy stands out as a major diplomatic lever for Morocco in the question of its southern territories. The integration of the southern provinces into trade agreements contributes to advancing the international recognition of the Moroccan nature of the Sahara, which has reached cruising speed in recent months. This, while strengthening the economic and geopolitical position of the Kingdom.