Diplomatic Support and Future Prospects
The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau, has reiterated Washington's acknowledgment of Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, describing the autonomy proposal put forward by Rabat as the "only foundation for a fair and lasting solution." These statements were made following a meeting in Rabat with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, as part of a diplomatic tour that also included Algeria, signaling the U.S. administration's intent to revitalize negotiations surrounding this long-standing conflict.
During a press conference, Landau emphasized that the territorial dispute "cannot wait indefinitely," highlighting the urgent need to move toward a concrete resolution under the framework of the latest United Nations Security Council resolution. In this context, the message from Washington aims to encourage both Algeria and the Polisario Front to consider the Moroccan proposal as a basis for negotiations, representing a significant shift in the historically stagnant dynamics of the conflict.
Investment and Bilateral Relations
Among the scenarios proposed is a potential agreement that could facilitate the return of refugees and the dismantling of camps in Tindouf, located in Algerian territory. The U.S. diplomat also underscored his country's interest in promoting investments in the region, stating that the United States supports its businesses in developing opportunities in the Sahara. Furthermore, he reaffirmed Washington's commitment to collaborating with the UN and the involved parties to reach a political resolution to the conflict, all within an international context marked by a transition from traditional multilateral frameworks to more flexible alliances.
Landau praised the longstanding relationship between the United States and Morocco, which he characterized as an alliance over 250 years strong, recognizing Morocco as an "indispensable, stable, and strategic partner" in the region. In this framework, he also celebrated Morocco's accession to the Artemis Accords, an international initiative regulating peaceful space exploration, indicating an expansion of bilateral cooperation into new areas.
The renewed U.S. support for Morocco comes at a time of shifting geopolitical balances in North Africa, where the Western Sahara conflict remains a critical issue.
As reported by elperiodista.cl.
