US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in a phone call on Friday that the Biden administration would not reverse former president Donald Trump's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Western Sahara, at least for the time being, two sources familiar with the call told Axios.
“The Secretary welcomed Morocco’s steps to improve relations with Israel and noted the Morocco-Israel relationship will bring long-term benefits for both countries,” according to a readout of the call from the State Department.
Blinken highlighted Morocco’s key role in fostering stability in the Sahel and Libya.
They further discussed King Mohammed VI’s far-reaching reforms over the past two decades.
The Secretary commended the King’s leadership in combatting climate change and investing in renewable energy, and encouraged Morocco to help promote green economic growth and development in Africa.
Blinken and Bourita noted that this year marks the 200th anniversary of the gift of the American Legation building in Tangier to the American people by Sultan Moulay Suliman, an example of the longstanding strategic partnership that both countries plan to showcase throughout the year.
The US decision last December to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara was a long-sought diplomatic breakthrough for Rabat. The kingdom was concerned it could be reversed once Biden took office.
Ten days ago, Biden's Middle East advisor, Brett McGurk, spoke to Bourita and gave the impression that there would be no change in the US policy on Western Sahara, a source familiar with the call told Axios.
Senior White House and State Department officials have held multiple discussions on this issue over the last few weeks.
The decision that emerged from these discussions was not to reverse Trump's policy but to work with the Moroccans on appointing a new UN envoy for the Western Sahara in order to try and resume talks on possible autonomy for the sparsely populated territory.
