Doha – The United States Consulate in Dakhla, Morocco, is expected to officially open in early November, according to a report from the Institut Géopolitique Horizons (IGH). This marks the end of a planning phase that has lasted over three years.

Diplomatic sources told IGH that this would transform the virtual representation – established in December 2020 – into a physical diplomatic presence, solidifying the American commitment in the southern provinces.

The IGH report states that the timing of this inauguration appears to be strategically calculated, coming just days after French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Morocco and the anticipated announcement of a French consulate opening in Laayoune.

The US diplomatic representation aims to “further benefit from Morocco’s strategic positioning as a center for trade in Africa,” the report quoted, with Dakhla emerging as a hub facing the Atlantic and sub-Saharan Africa.

The choice of Dakhla aligns with the American strategic vision for West Africa. The city, undergoing a full transformation, is positioning itself as a hub turned towards the Atlantic and sub-Saharan Africa.

This new diplomatic presence is expected to catalyze American investments in the region and encourage other countries to follow suit, making way for an unprecedented diplomatic acceleration effect.

This dual-Western presence is also likely to boost confidence among international investors and consolidate Morocco’s status as a privileged strategic partner of Western powers in the region.

Years in the making

The US plan to establish a consulate in Dakhla was first announced on December 10, 2020, following a telephone conversation between King Mohammed VI and then-US President Donald Trump.

On this occasion, Trump announced the historic decision of the US to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo followed up on December 24, 2020, announcing the establishment of a “Virtual Presence Post” as a first step towards creating a new US diplomatic mission in Dakhla.

“Effective immediately, we are inaugurating a virtual presence post,” Pompeo stated, noting that this post would focus on promoting economic and social development and would soon be followed by a fully functioning consulate managed by the US Embassy in Rabat.

On January 9, 2021, then-US Ambassador to Morocco David T. Fischer made a historic visit to Dakhla, becoming the first US ambassador to visit the southern provinces.

Fischer was joined by then-Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, David Schenker, for discussions with government and business leaders.

During his meetings, Fischer emphasized America’s focus on fostering economic prosperity, peace, and stability in Morocco, especially in the southern provinces.

“I know this will be the first of many official U.S. government visits to Morocco’s Southern Provinces, as we initiate the process of identifying an appropriate site for a physical consulate,” he stated.

Despite the initial momentum, the Biden administration signaled in March 2024 that it was not planning to open a consulate in Dakhla in the near term.

Richard R. Verma, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, stated on March 11, that funding for the project was not included in the 2025 budget for American diplomacy.

Commenting on the delay, Verma said, “I think that some of the planning is still ongoing for the appropriate presence, given the security conditions.”

The announcement reportedly came amid opposition from some US Senators to using State Department financial resources for constructing a diplomatic representation in Dakhla.