Trump Administration Recognizes Morocco’s Sovereignty Over Western Sahara

The United States affirms, as have previous administrations, its support for Morocco’s autonomy proposal as the sole basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute over the territory of Western Sahara. Accordingly, as of today, the United States recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over the entire Western Sahara territory and reaffirms its support for Morocco’s serious, credible, and realistic autonomy proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute over the territory of Western Sahara.

The United States believes that an independent Sahrawi state is not a realistic option to resolve the conflict and that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only feasible solution. We urge the parties to engage in discussions without delay, using Morocco’s autonomy plan as the only framework to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution. To facilitate progress towards this goal, the United States will encourage economic and social development with Morocco, including in the territory of Western Sahara, and to this end will open a consulate in the Western Sahara territory, in Dakhla, to promote economic and commercial opportunities for the region.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim that the United States recognizes that the entire Western Sahara territory is part of the Kingdom of Morocco.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.