U.S. President Donald Trump sent a congratulatory message on the 27th anniversary of King Mohammed VI's accession to the throne. In the message, published by the Moroccan Royal Court on Saturday, Trump clearly renewed the U.S. position on Western Sahara.
Trump said in the message, "The U.S. stance is clear: We recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and support the serious, credible, and realistic Moroccan autonomy proposal as the only basis for reaching a solution."
Any other path would only prolong the current situation, which is unacceptable. This dispute must now come to an end. The United States will continue to strive for progress toward this goal.
The U.S. president also noted that the King's vision for growth opens doors of prosperity for the peoples and economies of both countries, and said he had directed his team to strengthen cooperation with Morocco on economic and social development, including in the Western Sahara region.
Washington officially recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in December 2020. At that time, the U.S. announced plans to open a consulate in Dakhla, in the region, but that step has not yet been implemented.
Morocco proposed an expanded autonomy under its sovereignty for Western Sahara in 2007. The Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, demands a referendum on self-determination.