The United States has reaffirmed its recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, in line with the position communicated by former President Donald Trump to King Mohammed VI in 2020.

This reaffirmation came during a meeting in Washington on Tuesday between Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Secretary Rubio stated unequivocally that “the United States recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.”

The recognition dates back to a December 2020 phone call between King Mohammed VI and then-President Trump, during which the U.S. President announced a presidential proclamation recognising the Kingdom’s full sovereignty over the entire Moroccan Sahara region—a declaration with immediate legal and political effect.

U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce noted that Secretary Rubio also reiterated American support for Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal, describing it as “serious, credible, and realistic,” and as “the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute.”

Rubio further emphasized that “genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty remains the only feasible solution,” adding that the U.S. President is encouraging all parties to resume negotiations without delay, using Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal as the sole framework for reaching a mutually acceptable resolution.

“The United States stands ready to facilitate progress toward this goal,” the spokesperson concluded.