The U.S. national security conversation drew new attention when a top adviser posted on X with a map of Morocco that omitted Western Sahara. The post appeared recently, yet it attracted pro-M Moroccan voices only after a delay who pressed the White House to adjust the map to reflect their position.
In a broader thread on Atlantic partnership, a recent tweet highlighted how a 32-nation coalition can deepen ties among Western governments. The message emphasized cooperation across science, technology, the environment, and economic growth, signaling a shared readiness to pursue joint projects and strengthen transatlantic links. This is a reference to the collaboration’s social feed.
Rabat’s long-standing claim over Western Sahara rests on historical governance links to earlier Spanish administration. The United Nations recognizes a decolonization process in the region and supports a self-determination referendum. The UN mission MINURSO continues to monitor events and backs efforts toward a peaceful solution, led by the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy and senior diplomat Staffan de Mistura, according to UN reporting.
The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic controls parts of the territory from refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria, and asserts sovereignty over the remaining areas. The Polisario Front, led by Brahim Ghali, operates from those camps and maintains the political leadership of the Sahrawi movement.
United States position on the Sahara issue
U.S. stance on this dispute has sparked substantial debate. In late 2020, a high-level statement from the prior administration recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, a position that has influenced subsequent discussions. The current administration has not formally rescinded that posture. Instead, it has backed United Nations Security Council resolutions that call for renewed negotiations aimed at a fair, lasting, and acceptable political solution. These resolutions reaffirm the right of Western Sahara’s people to self-determination and encourage ongoing dialogue toward a political settlement, reflecting the U.N. Security Council framework.
Beyond official texts, shifts in the U.S. approach show up in diplomatic engagements and public remarks. For instance, Washington has not opened a consulate in Dakhla, a move once proposed and analyzed in diplomatic notes. A recent official note from the U.S. Embassy in Rabat noted that while the Morocco Autonomy Plan is viewed by some as serious and credible, it remains one of several possible paths. The note also acknowledged that a U.N.-backed self-determination referendum remains a plausible alternative for Western Sahara’s future.
Recent high-level visits to the region included a senior U.S. diplomat’s trip to Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf. Meetings with Polisario Front leadership underscored U.S. support for the UN political process and a durable, dignified solution grounded in realism and a commitment to the people of Western Sahara. In regional interviews, the diplomat stressed Washington’s alignment with the broader international political process in Western Sahara.
Analysts across North America view the U.S. approach as balancing previous commitments with active support for a living diplomatic process. For policymakers and researchers in Canada and the United States, the situation serves as a test case for how major powers manage territorial disputes, self-determination, and regional stability amid shifting regional alliances.