Rabat – US Secretary Marco Rubio has reaffirmed his country’s determination to continue boosting bilateral relations with Morocco, describing the North African kingdom as one of Washington’s closest and oldest friends.
The US State Department conveyed Rubio’s remarks in a statement today, extending congratulations to King Mohammed VI on the 26th anniversary of his reign.
“On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my greetings to His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the people of Morocco on the anniversary of His Majesty’s ascension to the throne,” Rubio said in his message.
The US values the enduring partnership with Morocco and remains committed to advancing this cooperation at all levels to advance peace and security, he insisted. “ Under President Trump’s and His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s leadership, we will continue to build a new era of peace and prosperity in the years ahead.”
Morocco and the US have been committed to continuing to boost bilateral relations, especially after Washington’s newfound position recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara.
Ties between the two countries have been subject to multiple lobbying attempts and maneuvers from a few countries — chiefly Algeria — that continue to challenge Morocco’s territorial integrity.
Since Trump’s proclamation supporting Morocco’s Sahara position in 2022, the Algerian regime has consistently sought to push the US administration to reverse its embrace of Moroccan territorial integrity.
However, the US has repeatedly responded by signaling its steadfast support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces, including in a strong-worded statement in April.
In that statement, which came following Rubio’s meeting with Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita, the top US diplomat reaffirmed what he presented as Washington’s unwavering support for Morocco’s territorial integrity. He also notably declared Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the Sahara dispute.
US Ambassador Nominee Richard Duke Buchan III echoed this firm position in his confirmation hearing on Tuesday, stressing his commitment to facilitating negotiations toward a peaceful resolution of the longstanding territorial dispute.
“If confirmed, I will facilitate progress towards this goal,” he said of his readiness to uphold the US support for Morocco, stressing the need to maintain and nurture the strategic ties between Morocco and the US at all levels.
Likewise, US Congressman Joe Wilsom has commended the depth and significance of bilateral relations between Rabat and Washington, applauding King Mohammed VI’s Throne Day speech.
Morocco’s openness to its neighbors and King Mohammed VI’s policy of preserving brotherly or friendly ties with regional neighbors reflect the North African kingdom’s “central” stabilizing role in the region, he argued.
Congressman Wilsom then went on to stress that King Mohammed VI’s leadership in positioning Morocco as an investment hub will be mutually beneficial for both the two countries.
One of the high-level officials that have notably advocated for strong bilateral ties between Morocco and the US, the congressman is also a staunch defender of Morocco’s territorial integrity against Polisario’s separatist maneuvers challenging Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara.
He recently submitted legislation to designate the Polisario Front as a terrorist entity.
The bill covers multiple arguments to convince the US Congress to designate the Polisario Front as a terrorist group.
In particular, it points to the separatist group’s collusion with Iranian proxy Hezbollah, its involvement in violent attacks against Moroccan forces, and its role in destabilizing the Maghreb and Sahel regions.
