Lavrov juggles support for Morocco and criticism of U.S. Sahara policy

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has made waves with his latest comments on the Moroccan Sahara conflict, offering support to Morocco while taking aim at the United States’ stance. 

Speaking at a press conference reviewing Russia’s diplomatic moves in 2024, Lavrov said that Russia is committed to helping Morocco find a solution to the long-standing dispute but slammed the U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the region as “one-sided.”  

Lavrov praised the potential for deeper cooperation between Moscow and Rabat, touching on areas like trade and maritime agreements. 

On the issue of Moroccan Sahara, Lavrov said  that it’s paramount to find a solution based on mutual agreements. 

At the same time, Lavrov didn’t hold back when addressing former U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2020 decision to recognize Morocco’s claims over Moroccan Sahara. 

Lavrov called it a “unilateral move” and suggested that such actions undermine the peace process.  

Experts say these statements could mark a shift in Russia’s role in the conflict. 

Abdelfattah El Fatihi, director of the Sahara and Africa Studies Center, told Hespress Ar that Lavrov’s remarks hint at Russia repositioning itself as a neutral player in the dispute. 

“With their trade and diplomatic ties with Morocco growing, it seems Russia is taking a step back from picking sides, choosing to stay balanced,” El Fatihi said.  

Political analyst Mohamed Chakir agrees but sees a bigger picture at play. He pointed out that while Russia supports negotiations, Lavrov’s criticism of Trump’s decision signals that the Morocca Sahara issue remains a card in Moscow’s broader rivalry with Washington. 

“Russia’s making it clear they won’t let the U.S. dictate solutions,” Chakir said.  

The global landscape is shifting too. Chakir noted that France has now joined the U.S. in recognizing Moroccan sovereignty, a move Russia can’t ignore. 

“If more major powers get behind Morocco, Russia might need to adjust its approach, especially given its rocky relationship with Algeria,” he added.  

Meanwhile, Lavrov’s comments have sparked interest in Algeria, with local media interpreting them as a nod to the Algerian government’s position on the dispute. However, with more countries recognizing Morocco’s claims, Algeria faces mounting pressure to rethink its stance.