Trump comments on North Africa territorial dispute

USA: The US considers Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara “serious, credible, and realistic,” and the only basis for a lasting solution to the decades-long conflict over the disputed territory, President Donald Trump has said, according to the North African state’s MAP news agency.

Trump reportedly made the remarks in a letter to Moroccan King Mohammed VI, who marked the 26th anniversary of his coronation last week. On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Morocco one of Washington’s “oldest and closest friends” in a

message congratulating King Mohammed VI.

“The United States deeply values our strong and enduring partnership with Morocco. Together we are advancing shared priorities for peace and security in the region, including by building on the Abraham Accords, combating terrorism and expanding commercial cooperation,” Trump stated, as cited by MAP on Saturday.

“I also reiterate that the United States recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara,” he added.

Western Sahara has been the source of a longstanding dispute between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which demands a UN-supervised referendum on self-determination for the Sahrawi people. Morocco, which controls most of the region and considers it part of its national territory, rejects the idea of independence, insisting its autonomy plan is the only viable solution.