Apple Maps Update Affirms Morocco’s Sovereignty Over Western Sahara

In addition to the Apple company, other international organizations and media have published the new world map on which the Sahara appears as an integral part of Moroccan territory. For example, the Arab League, the Confederation of African Football, or the British television channel BBC, have already adopted this updated map including the Sahara in Morocco, reports Atalayar.

Read: Arab League Adopts Map Showing Western Sahara as Part of Morocco

This new update should delight Morocco, which has been awaiting international recognition of its sovereignty over the Sahara for years. Until 2020, only the United States under Trump had recognized the "Moroccanness" of the Sahara, in exchange for the normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel.

Read: US Unveils New Map Recognizing Morocco’s Sovereignty Over Western Sahara

Today, several countries have followed in the footsteps of the United States. "There are already 50 countries that have recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara and 24 countries have already opened consulates in Laâyoune and Dakhla...," said Ahmed Moussa, Morocco’s consul in the Canary Islands, in an interview with the online media Rue20.

According to several experts, Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara can be very beneficial for the region and the Sahrawis, particularly with regard to customs duties on the export of agricultural and fishery products to the European market.