The re-election of Donald Trump to the presidency in 2024, supported by a Republican majority in Congress, constitutes a golden opportunity for Morocco which could now aim to include American recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara in legislative texts in the States. -United.
The return of Donald Trump to the White House, supported by an absolute Republican majority in Congress, represents an exceptional opportunity for Morocco to solidify American recognition of the Moroccan Sahara.
“In 2020, the first Trump administration marked a historic turning point by recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over this region, which strengthened diplomatic ties between Rabat and Washington. The challenge for Morocco today is to enshrine this recognition in American institutions in an irreversible manner, taking advantage of the reinforced support of the Trump presidency and an aligned Congress”indicates to Hespress FR the secretary general of the Moroccan Research Center for Globalization “NejMaroc”, Yassine El Yattioui.
In 2025, with a Republican majority in the Senate and the House of Representatives, “Donald Trump has the political levers to transform his decisions into concrete legislation”. The Republicans, underlines El Yattioui, “Having a long history of strategic alliances with partners not only in Europe but also in Africa, see Morocco as a key ally for the stability of this region. By strengthening this partnership, the Trump administration could make the recognition of the Moroccan Sahara a pillar of American foreign policy, including this position in legislative texts so that it becomes a structural and lasting orientation, beyond political vagaries”.
Such an approach “would have significant leverage to influence other permanent members of the UN Security Council, notably the United Kingdom. Although the latter still remains hesitant on the question of the Moroccan Sahara, it is increasingly aware of the strategic interest of supporting a stable and growing partner in the region, a decisive factor.says the analyst.
Additionally, with a strong US-Moroccan alliance, “the United Kingdom could be encouraged to move closer to the American position, thus joining France and the United States in favor of Morocco. In 2023, around 25% of British investments in North Africa were concentrated in Morocco, a figure which underlines the growing economic relationship between London and Rabat. Formal British recognition could be motivated by these economic ties, thus supporting a dynamic of political rapprochement”he adds.
Such international support, in the opinion of the SG of NejMaroc, “would take on a particular symbolic magnitude, as Morocco celebrates this year the 49th anniversary of the Green March, a historic event which allowed the country to reaffirm its rights in this region through peaceful and united mobilization”. And to continue that for the Moroccan people, “Celebrating this anniversary in the context of renewed support from the United States, and potentially reinforced by other countries, constitutes a source of national pride and motivation. The Green March embodies national unity and the peaceful desire to recover this territory”.
The issue is not only diplomatic
The consolidation of this official recognition would not be limited to a diplomatic issue. “It would have major economic repercussions, strengthening Morocco’s attractiveness for foreign investors. In 2022, Morocco attracted $2.3 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), with a significant portion directed to southern regions, such as Dakhla and Laâyoune, which benefit from ambitious infrastructure projects. The support of the United States and other international powers for Moroccan sovereignty could strengthen investors’ confidence in the stability of these areas, thus propelling the economic development of these regions and increasing their competitiveness in Africa. explains Mr. El Yattioui.
And to specify: “Infrastructure projects, such as the Dakhla free zone, currently under construction, are part of this development strategy and aim to attract American and international companies. These companies, by investing in strategic areas, contribute not only to local economic growth but also to Morocco’s international influence..
At the same time, this political configuration offers significant advantages in the security domain. “Morocco is a key ally of the United States in the fight against terrorism and transnational crime networks. The partnership between the two countries has been strengthened in particular with the establishment of the American-Moroccan Strategic Dialogue, a cooperation framework aimed at responding to regional and international security challenges.notes the analyst.
American support would also strengthen, according to the analyst, Morocco’s position within the African Union. “Renewed support from the United States for the Moroccan Sahara would further strengthen Morocco’s diplomatic influence on the continent, especially since this reaffirmed support coincides with the country’s economic growth and its rise in power as a strategic actor in Africa”.
Finally, notes the SG of NejMaroc, “This dynamic could directly influence the vote in the United Nations Security Council. With three permanent members — France, the United States and, potentially, the United Kingdom — aligned in favor of Morocco, the country would have major international support, increasing its chances of seeing its position further supported at home. UN. In 2023, of the 15 members of the Security Council, six had already expressed positions favorable to the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco. This convergence of interests among the permanent members would offer Morocco the opportunity to advance the issue at the UN level, by directing the negotiations towards a political solution which definitively puts an end to this artificial conflict..
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