Five full years have passed since Washington wrote a new chapter in its dealings with the regional conflict over the Sahara, following its recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces on December 10, 2020, thus inaugurating a strategic turning point that redrawn the map of power and stability in North Africa, strengthened Morocco’s negotiating position, and laid the foundation for major transformations in the issue of the Kingdom’s territorial integrity; starting with the recognitions of major world capitals and the decline of the separatist thesis, up to the latest resolution of the UN Security Council that establishes the autonomy plan as the basis for any solution.

Observers noted that the United States’ recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara was not merely a diplomatic step, but rather a testament to Rabat’s active role in the equations of stability and development in the African continent, and an appreciation of its seriousness in protecting its sovereignty and unity. They emphasized that this American decision also reflects a deep understanding of the nature of international conflicts and balances in the “African continent” on the part of decision-makers in the “White House.”

American convictions

Hisham Moutadad, a researcher in strategic affairs, said that “the American recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara, five years after its declaration, should be read not as a circumstantial political decision, but as an operational signal reflecting a deep appreciation of Morocco’s seriousness in securing its sovereign territory and its institutional ability to translate its strategic commitments,” noting that “Washington does not usually legislate sovereign positions of this magnitude unless it senses the existence of a state that possesses consistency in its security doctrine and continuity in its strategic behavior.”

In a statement to Hespress, Moatad added that “institutional stability and security and diplomatic maturity have been key elements in the Moroccan case to reinforce the American conviction that Morocco’s sovereignty is not just a historical claim, but a state project with a clear executive structure and a disciplined legal and political path.”

The researcher in strategic affairs highlighted that “Morocco has proven, over the past two decades, its ability to control its borders, achieve an important operational level in combating terrorism, and ensure vital logistical movement in the Sahel and Sahara; therefore, this type of security discipline is what made the American recognition treated as a strategic multiplier and not just a diplomatic declaration.”

The same spokesperson continued: “From the White House’s perspective, the American recognition contributed to strengthening the autonomy narrative as the most realistic approach to engineering solutions for regional conflicts. The American administration, whether Republican or Democratic, evaluates the feasibility of proposals based on their ability to create stability and reduce risks, rather than their consistency with ideological coordinates.” He noted that “the Moroccan autonomy proposal presented a practical model that balances the international principle of local governance with state sovereignty, which made it, for American decision-makers, a viable solution and not just a negotiating project.”

Mu’tadid stressed that “this recognition has given geopolitical momentum to the principle of autonomy as a framework consistent with the American national security doctrine in the Middle East and North Africa,” noting that “autonomy, from Washington’s perspective, is not just a political settlement; rather, it is a mechanism that prevents the creation of sovereign vacuums that could be exploited by non-state actors or rival powers such as Russia or Iran.”

The same researcher considered that “this American step has become a deterrent factor against any project to destabilize the region, because it has created a kind of geopolitical cost for any party seeking to disrupt the political process.”

Moatad concluded that “the American recognition, five years after its issuance, is a strategic testament to Morocco’s seriousness in defending its sovereignty and its ability to translate political legitimacy into executive legitimacy on the ground. This recognition has also become a cornerstone in strengthening the Moroccan approach to autonomy, because it gave it international cover from a superpower and pushed the international system towards dealing with it as the only viable solution. Thus, the American recognition has transformed from a political decision into a structural factor upon which regional balances in the region are being rebuilt.”

Moroccan potential

For his part, Badr Boukhlouf, a university professor at the Faculty of Law in Meknes, explained that “the American position of recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces is a state position and not a government or party position, as it stems from the ties between the two countries that go beyond geography to history; the Americans always recall the historical Moroccan position, which made the Kingdom the first country in the world to recognize the independence of the United States of America in 1777.”

In a statement to the Hespress electronic newspaper, Boukhlouf pointed out that “the firm American position on the issue of the territorial integrity of the Kingdom also recalls the status and role of Morocco in the Arab, Maghreb and African region; decision-makers in Washington see Rabat as a gateway to Africa, with the mechanisms, capabilities and characteristics that enhance this strategic role, the most important of which is the political stability and security that Morocco enjoys in a regional environment fraught with security concerns.”

The university professor explained that “Moroccan diplomacy, led by Moroccans residing in the United States of America, contributed to shaping this recognition and gave the issue of territorial integrity a great boost in the American decision-making apparatus. There we also talk about the role of Moroccan Jews in this matter, who are proud of their origins and their repentance and have spared no effort in the fierce defense of all issues that concern the Moroccan people.”

The same spokesperson stressed that “American support for the Moroccan proposal in the Sahara has contributed to profound changes in the course of this issue, including the emergence of many countries that also adopted supportive positions, such as Spain, France and Britain, and most recently Security Council Resolution No. 2797, which the United States of America (the pen holder) helped to formulate. This resolution clearly expressed the international community’s appreciation for Morocco’s autonomy initiative as a serious initiative capable of achieving stability on the one hand, and promoting local development on the other.”

Boukhlouf concluded that “Morocco’s return to its African home has strengthened Morocco’s position and roles at the continental level, and made it an indispensable player; this is something that the Americans have realized and have moved towards strengthening the partnership with Morocco, and before that, supporting its territorial integrity, security and stability, especially since Africa is today the focus of attention for a number of international and regional powers that are in turn looking to consolidate their position on the continental map by establishing partnerships with reliable countries the size of Morocco on the basis of common interests.”