The return of Donald Trump to the White House has ignited a wave of optimism in Morocco, as the country seeks to solidify its diplomatic gains regarding the Moroccan Sahara dispute, according to a report by Le Monde.
Trump’s decision in 2020 to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara was seen as a diplomatic breakthrough for Morocco.
While the Biden administration has maintained this recognition, it has been more cautious in taking further steps, such as opening a U.S. consulate in the disputed territory.
Moroccan officials are hopeful that a second Trump presidency will lead to the fulfillment of this pledge.
Morocco is leveraging what is known as ‘consulate diplomacy’ to strengthen its legitimacy in the region, Le Monde reported.
Since King Mohammed VI ascended to the throne in 1999, Moroccan diplomacy has worked to undermine the position of the Polisario, which is supported by Algeria and claims Moroccan Sahara as an “independent state.”
Recent diplomatic successes, such as Ghana’s decision to suspend its ties with the Polisario, have bolstered Morocco’s confidence.
Morocco views this as a breakthrough, given Ghana’s influential position within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Le Monde says that Morocco’s primary goal is to expel the Polisario from the African Union. The newspaper quoted King Mohammed VI, who said that all national institutions, including political parties and civil society, must work to convince the world of the Moroccanness of the Sahara.
Le Monde said that while the Polisario Front uses NGOs to spread its messages, Rabat has been expanding its activities into new areas.
The report highlighted that growing competition with Algeria and the challenges posed by internal crises in some African countries, like Mali and Mauritania, make Morocco’s efforts more complicated.
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