Morocco’s steady diplomatic gains on the Sahara issue and its growing network of global partnerships are highlighted in a recent report by the Washington-based Stimson Center, which portrays the Kingdom as an increasingly influential actor in regional and international affairs.
Sahara issue
According to the report, the Sahara issue- which Stimson center referred to as Morocco’s Southern Provinces- remains “the cornerstone of its foreign policy,” guiding its diplomatic outreach and shaping its relations with key partners.
The report recalls that Morocco rules the Sahara territory, while the Polisario militias remain based in territories administered by the post-colonial Algerian state.
The analysis underscores that decades after the 1991 UN-brokered ceasefire, which established MINURSO, the referendum option proved “unimplementable,” leading the international community to shift toward a political and negotiated solution.
That shift has increasingly centered on Morocco’s autonomy initiative, which the report notes is now at the heart of the political process following UN Security Council Resolution 2797 adopted in October 2025.
Describing this as a major diplomatic turning point, the report emphasizes that “the new negotiating framework is now centered on the Moroccan autonomy proposal,” with Algeria participating as a full party. This development is widely viewed as consolidating international momentum around Rabat’s approach to resolving the dispute.
Africa
Morocco’s diplomatic strategy has also yielded tangible results across Africa and beyond. The Stimson Center notes that the Kingdom has “achieved notable diplomatic successes,” particularly since its return to the African Union in 2017, allowing it to actively contest the presence of the self-proclaimed “SADR” within continental institutions.
Through sustained royal diplomacy, Morocco has expanded its influence across Sub-Saharan Africa, with King Mohammed VI undertaking over 40 visits to African countries and signing numerous cooperation agreements. These efforts have translated into increasing support for Morocco’s territorial integrity, as several African states have withdrawn recognition of the separatist entity or opened consulates in Laayoune and Dakhla.
The report highlights that such moves “indicate tacit support for Morocco’s position,” reflecting a broader realignment of diplomatic stances in favor of the autonomy initiative as a realistic solution to the conflict.
A key milestone in this evolution came in December 2020, when the United States recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara as part of a broader regional agreement. The report adds that the subsequent U.S. administrations maintained the recognition, underscoring its strategic permanence.
Europe
At the same time, European partners have increasingly aligned their positions with a pragmatic approach. In a unified declaration, all 27 EU member states acknowledged that “genuine autonomy could represent the most achievable solution,” highlighting convergence with Morocco’s proposal even as the bloc continues to support the UN-led process.
Europe remains Morocco’s primary partner, both economically and strategically. The Stimson Center points out that the European Union accounts for roughly 68 percent of Moroccan exports, making it the Kingdom’s largest investor. Morocco’s “advanced status” within the EU’s Neighborhood Policy framework has enabled deep cooperation across sectors including trade, energy, migration, and security.
In this context, the report describes Morocco as occupying a “pivotal position in European migration management,” acting as a stabilizing partner and buffer against irregular migration flows. This role has been further reinforced through growing collaboration with countries such as Spain and France, as well as through multilateral initiatives aimed at addressing shared challenges in the Mediterranean.
Recent milestones, including the EU-Morocco Green Partnership and new cooperation programs focusing on climate, energy, and governance reforms, reflect the Kingdom’s increasing importance to European strategic interests. As the report notes, Morocco has “continued to leverage its geographic and strategic position for diplomatic and economic benefit.”
A Bridge between Africa and Europe
Beyond Europe, the Kingdom’s engagement across Africa stands out as a core pillar of its foreign policy. Moroccan companies have significantly expanded their footprint across the continent, particularly in banking, telecommunications, and agriculture, while flagship projects such as the Nigeria-Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline are reshaping regional energy dynamics.
Described in the report as “one of the most strategically consequential infrastructure projects under development in Africa,” the pipeline underscores Morocco’s role as a bridge between African resources and European markets, enhancing energy integration on both sides of the Mediterranean.
Middle East
Morocco’s growing ties with Gulf countries and Israel further illustrate its diversified diplomatic approach. The normalization of relations with Israel in 2020 opened new avenues of cooperation in areas ranging from trade and tourism to security and technology, while partnerships with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar continue to bring investment and political support.
Despite these advances, the report acknowledges that tensions triggered by Algeria remain a central obstacle to regional integration. Relations have been strained due to Algeria’s support for the Polisario separatists, culminating in Algiers unilateral decision to cut ties with Rabat in 2021 and a series of escalatory measures such as Algeria’s closure of its airspace to Moroccan airplanes, ending gas supplies and visa imposture on Moroccan nationals.
However, following the adoption of Resolution 2797, King Mohammed VI extended an invitation for “sincere, brotherly dialogue” with Algeria, while international actors, particularly the United States, have shown renewed interest in facilitating rapprochement.
Analysts cited in the report stress that improved relations between Rabat and Algiers could unlock significant economic and security dividends for the wider Maghreb, including enhanced trade integration and more effective counterterrorism coordination in the Sahel.
Overall, the Stimson Center portrays Morocco as a country that has successfully combined diplomatic agility with strategic foresight. By anchoring international negotiations around its autonomy initiative while deepening its partnerships across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, the Kingdom is consolidating its position as a key actor in regional stability.
