Rabat – US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Joshua Harris has reaffirmed the US’ support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara on Thursday, during an official visit to Rabat.
“DAS Harris also reaffirmed that the United States continues to view Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as serious, credible, and realistic, and one potential approach to meet the aspirations of the people of Western Sahara,” a statement issued by the US Embassy in Morocco said.
Harris also affirmed the US’ full support for the UN Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General Staffan de Mistura “as he intensifies efforts to achieve an enduring and dignified political solution for Western Sahara,” the statement added.
The embassy went on to emphasize that Harris discussed the importance of engaging with de Mistura “in a spirit of realism and compromise.”
Harris and US Ambassador to Morocco Puneet Talwar met on Thursday with Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita, discussing the long-standing relationship between the US and Morocco.
The Deputy Assistant Secretary also expressed the US’ appreciation for Morocco’s efforts on various regional and global issues, including addressing instability in the Sahel and supporting Libyan election efforts.
Additionally, they commended Morocco for “promoting equal measures of freedom, security, and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians.”
Harris’ visit to Rabat comes as part of his regional tour to Morocco and Algeria, where he addressed several regional challenges such the Palestine-Israeli conflict, instability in the Sahel, and supporting Libyan elections.
The US is one of the countries that have expressed support for Morocco’s autonomy plan, particularly after the recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the southern regions in late 2020.
Harris’ visit comes months before the UN Security Council’s expected vote on a new resolution on Western Sahara.
By the end of October, the council is expected to vote on a resolution which will mark the expiration of the mandate of MINURSO, the UN’s peacekeeping operation in Western Sahara.
