Biden Calls for Removing Anti-Morocco Section From Defense Bill

Rabat – Biden’s administration has stepped in to undo a hostile attempt from senators, who sought to halt US spending on joint military exercises between Rabat and Washington. The section of the latest US defense bill would prohibit US military spending on Morocco without undefined Moroccan “steps” towards a Western Sahara peace agreement. 

A Congressional bill dated to September 22 includes a text that aimed to limit the US government’s support for military forces in Morocco for bilateral or multilateral exercises.

Section 1209 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) aims to put pressure on Biden’s administration, and Morocco by halting bilateral military cooperation in an effort to force Morocco to negotiate its territorial integrity and sovereignty over Western Sahara.

The text reads: “None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by  this Act for fiscal year 2022 may be used by the Secretary of Defense to support the participation of the military forces of the Kingdom of  Morocco in any bilateral or multilateral exercise administered by the  Department of Defense unless the Secretary determines, and certifies to the congressional defense committees, that the Kingdom of Morocco has taken steps to support a final peace agreement with Western Sahara.”

In response, Biden’s administration expressed concerns that Section 1209 among other sections in the bill would require US Department of Defense engagement.

Read Also: Western Sahara: Biden’s Administration Not Planning to Reverse US Recognition

The administration ruled that the situation also requires analysis or reporting on a “significant foreignpolicy issue without including sufficient means for the secretary of State to provide inport and ensure that foreign assistance is carried out in a manner consistent with foreign policy priorities.”

In essence, the section would cut all US spending on military exercises with Morocco until the US Secretary of State would “determine” and “certify” that Morocco had “taken steps” towards a Western Sahara peace agreement. 

If the section had passed in its current state it would provide powerful US leverage over Morocco’s position, and weaken its stance vis a vis Algeria and Polisario in any upcoming negotiations.

The US administration’s response to the senators’ attempt reflects the country’s determination to safeguard and preserve diplomatic relations with Morocco.

Such a move to undermine Morocco’s position over Western Sahara is not exclusive to some senators in the democratic sphere.

Several senats, including James Inhofe attempted to convince Biden’s administration to reverse the US recognition over Morocco’s Western Sahara.

Inhofe co-authored a letter, along with over than 20 other senators, calling on Biden to  anul the support for Morocco’s territorial integrity.

The US recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in December 2020 by former President Donald Trump.

Since then, the US administration under the leadership of Biden emphasized that there is no change in the position, upholding the official US foreign policy decision.

Morocco and the US maintain good diplomatic relations, reflected in cooperation in different fields, including a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and joint military and security actions, including the African Lion military exercise held jointly every year.

The 2021 African Lion excercise took place in June, with both officials from the US and Morocco emphasizing the importance of security cooperation against threats, such as terrorism.

In another gesture to emphasize the importance of cooperation between Rabat and Washington, Joe Biden recalled the Moroccan American Treaty of Friendship in a congratulatory message to King Mohammed VI today.

Marking Morocco’s Independence Day anniversary, Biden said the treaty had always demonstrated the “importance and value of mutual respect and cooperation.”

He also added that the role of the treaty provides a “model” for the US-Morocco ongoing diplomatic relations, stressing this country’s will to deepen shared commitments, investment and strong partnership with Morocco.