US Praises Morocco’s King for Middle East Peace Efforts, Seeks Stronger Ties

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, informed the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, of Washington’s intention to strengthen its bilateral relations with Rabat. The two diplomats discussed the need to respect the recent ceasefire between Israel and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, as well as the need to move towards a solution to the Syrian or Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

Blinken also reaffirmed Washington’s "full support" for the UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, calling for an "intensification" of the UN process for "a lasting and dignified political solution for the people of the Sahara".

On November 14, 2020, the Polisario Front broke the ceasefire, in response to a "Moroccan military action against Sahrawi activists in Guerguerat". On March 18, Spain expressed its support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for this territory, a change of position qualified as a betrayal by the Polisario Front, which considers the country as the administering power of the Sahara.