The United States Consulate General Casablanca inaugurated its new compound in Casablanca Finance City on Wednesday, marking what officials described as a major milestone in U.S.-Morocco relations dating back nearly 250 years.
Moroccan officials attending the ceremony included Fouad Ali El Himma, Nasser Bourita and other government representatives and local authorities.
The ceremony opened with the Moroccan and U.S. national anthems, followed by remarks from senior diplomats.
Marisa Scott said the opening of the new U.S. Consulate was not only about the building itself, but also about celebrating 250 years of relations between the United States and Morocco.
She said the new building reflects a strong and lasting partnership between the two countries and added that the former Dar America space would now be integrated into the new location, allowing visitors and patrons to gather in one place.
U.S. Ambassador Duke Buchan III described the new compound as “more than a new building,” calling it a symbol of long-term partnership.
He linked the inauguration to a long diplomatic history, noting that Morocco hosts both the oldest and the newest U.S. diplomatic sites. He referenced the Tangier American Legation, which dates back nearly 250 years, and contrasted it with the new Casablanca facility.
Buchan also highlighted the Morocco–United States Treaty of Friendship, signed in 1787, calling it the longest continuous treaty in U.S. history.
According to the ambassador, the United States invested more than $350 million in the Casablanca consulate project. Combined with the U.S. Embassy in Rabat, total U.S. government investment in Morocco now exceeds $500 million, with more than 1,000 staff working for the U.S. mission in the country.
He described Morocco as the United States’ “longest, strongest, and most dependable ally in the region,” emphasizing cooperation in security, trade and technology.
On the political front, Buchan reiterated U.S. support for Morocco’s position on the Sahara, saying President Donald Trump supports Moroccan sovereignty over the territory and describing Morocco’s autonomy proposal as “the only solution” to the decades-long dispute.
He said the U.S. is actively engaging with all parties to reach a final agreement and stressed urgency, saying the issue should be resolved “today, not tomorrow.”
Buchan also announced upcoming joint activities, including U.S. and Moroccan doctors providing medical services in Dakhla as part of the African Lion military exercise, which he described as the largest of its kind in Africa.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who also attended the event, said the building represents “a permanent symbol” of U.S.-Morocco ties.
Landau highlighted the consulate’s design, saying it incorporates Moroccan architectural elements such as geometric patterns and shading while also reflecting American cultural and artistic identity inside.
The ceremony concluded with a formal ribbon-cutting, as U.S. and Moroccan officials jointly marked the opening of the new consulate, symbolizing continued strengthening of bilateral ties and a shared commitment to future cooperation.
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