US decides to open Consulate in Dakhla, recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara

The United States has decided to open a General Consulate in the Southern Moroccan city of Dakhla. This highly significant diplomatic move by a world super-power supports Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara, dealing a hard blow to the polisario separatists and their Algerian supporters.

The decision was announced by US president Donald Trump in a telephone conversation with King Mohammed VI. During this phone call, President Trump informed the Monarch that he signed a presidential proclamation recognizing, for the first time in the US history, the full sovereignty of Morocco over the entire region of Moroccan Sahara.

Within the frame of the US sovereign decision, Washington decided to open a consulate in Dakhla in order to encourage American investments and contribute to economic and social development for the benefit of the inhabitants of the southern provinces in particular.

The Moroccan Sovereign expressed, in his name and on behalf of the entire Moroccan people, to the American President his deep gratitude to the United States of America for this historic position, a statement released by the Royal Office said.

The Moroccan Monarch also thanked the US President and his team for this clear and strong support to the Moroccanness of the Sahara. This precious backing enhances further the strong strategic partnership and alliance existing between the two countries in all fields.

US Ambassador to Rabat David T. Fischer said: “We welcome today’s historic announcement, a major milestone in more than 200 years of friendship between our two countries.”

Before his phone call with the Monarch, President Donald Trump tweeted that he has signed a proclamation recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara. The US has no option other than supporting Morocco in its cause, he stated in a series of tweets lauding diplomatic relations between the two countries.

“Morocco recognized the United States in 1777. It is thus fitting we recognize their sovereignty over the Western Sahara.”

The US president also reiterated Washington’s support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan.

“Morocco’s serious, credible, and realistic autonomy proposal is the ONLY basis for a just and lasting solution for enduring peace and prosperity!” he tweeted.

The positive US stand comes following a growing number of African and Arab countries which decided to install consulates in the Southern Moroccan Provinces, reaffirming their recognition of the Moroccan Sovereignty over the Sahara.