Former US Ambassador to Morocco Awarded Kingdom’s Highest Honor by King Mohammed VI

This royal distinction, one of the highest in Morocco, presented to the recipient on Saturday in Washington, at the Residence of the Kingdom, is "a recognition of the distinguished action" throughout his diplomatic term, said the Ambassador of the Kingdom, Lalla Joumala El Alaoui, during the reception organized for the occasion.

"While at the head of the American diplomatic mission in Morocco in January 2020, David Fischer had left for the future a photograph showing him affixing his signature to a complete map of Morocco, including its Southern Provinces. A gesture that materialized the American decision to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara," noted El Alaoui.

For the recipient, the royal gesture reflects the quality of relations between the two countries as well as the importance of the work accomplished throughout this last period, which was notably marked by the American recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara. Fully assuming the projects carried out during his diplomatic stay, the former ambassador had stressed that this mission was one of the richest of his career.

"It was the honor of my life to be the U.S. Ambassador to Morocco, one of the most wonderful, beautiful and hospitable countries in the world," he had said during his last press conference in Morocco.

In just one year of service, the diplomat has managed to carve his name in the collective memory of Moroccans, notably with his visit to the Southern Provinces of the Kingdom in the aftermath of the American recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara.

At the end of his term, the diplomat had also received the National Security Medal, one of the highest distinctions awarded to American officials. A distinction awarded by former U.S. President Donald Trump to several senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Special Advisor Jared Kushner, as well as the U.S. Ambassadors posted to the United Arab Emirates and Israel.