Morocco Sees Spain and the U.S. as Key Partners in Western Sahara Policy

No time to read?
Get a summary

In a high-profile address marking a pivotal moment in the year, Morocco’s king highlighted Spain and the United States as the principal international supporters of Rabat’s framework for Western Sahara. The remarks were delivered during a nighttime speech commemorating the 69th anniversary of the country’s struggle for independence and decolonization. The speech touched on a former Spanish territory that the United Nations and much of the international community still regard as an area awaiting decolonization and the right to self-determination (MAP).

King Mohammed VI expressed gratitude to Spain for its clear and responsible stance on Morocco’s position regarding Western Sahara. Following Madrid’s March shift in support for Rabat’s autonomy plan, the Spanish government moved away from decades of deference to the Saharawi demands of the Polisario Front (MAP).

In a speech that repeatedly emphasized the Moroccanness of the Sahara—six mentions of the phrase and two uses of autonomy—the monarch underscored the trust forged with Spain. He spoke of the neighborly bond and stated, We appreciate the open and responsible attitude of our neighbor Spain. He also noted the depth of understanding about the origins and realities of this conflict. The address, broadcast by the official MAP agency, is presented as the highest formal articulation of the royal vision for the Moroccan people. It also commemorates the King and People’s Revolution, an official reference linked to the Alaouite monarchy and tied to the 1953 nationalist uprising against colonial French rule (MAP).

Shortly thereafter, the ruler signaled the primary international backers. He asserted that Washington’s support for Rabat’s autonomy plan has helped to generate broad international backing and encouraged numerous states to view Rabat’s initiative as a viable path to resolving what he described as an artificial conflict. For the king, a transition in U.S. leadership would not alter Morocco’s strategic stance; the alignment would remain stable regardless of political changes in the United States (MAP).

The monarch also framed the Morocco–Spain alliance as a durable link resilient in the face of regional shifts and domestic developments. He spoke of the partnership enduring through fluctuating regional conditions and evolving national priorities (MAP).

The royal projection carried a constructive tone toward the United States and Spain, suggesting their positions could usher in a new chapter of trust-based cooperation with these friendly nations. France was not named in this portion of the discussion, even as Paris has previously been a pro-autonomy promoter. Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Hungary, Cyprus, and Romania were acknowledged collectively for their support, with an assertion that roughly 30 countries have opened consulates in the southern provinces—interpreted as recognition of Morocco’s stance on the Sahara (MAP).

The absence of France in the discourse highlighted a moment of tension in Paris–Madrid relations. The scenario followed France’s approval of a recent immigration measure that restricted Moroccan visa access, adding another layer of friction to bilateral ties (MAP).

From a Rabat throne room adorned in a traditional sand-colored djellaba and a red fez, the monarch underscored that friendship with Morocco requires acceptance of the territorial integrity plan. He described the Sahara dossier as the lens through which the kingdom views international affairs and as a clear gauge of the sincerity and effectiveness of its alliances. The message reinforced the expectation that Morocco’s partners include both long-standing and newer friends who must align with Rabat’s position on the Sahara (MAP).

He observed that partners such as Peru, which recently aligned with the need for phosphate amid global tensions since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have taken positions that are explicit rather than ambiguous. Several other countries were cited for their clear and unambiguous support, signaling a broader international consensus around Morocco’s stance (MAP).

No time to read?
Get a summary
Previous Article

Alicante’s Top Bays: Moraig, Granadella, and Uncle Ximo for a Perfect Coastal Day

Next Article

San Francisco 1906 Market Street: A Restored Ride Through Time