Trump’s Nominee Ambassador to Morocco reaffirms U.S. recognition of Moroccanness of Sahara

U.S. nominee ambassador to Morocco Richard Duke Buchan III has reiterated at the U.S. Senate the American recognition of Morocco’s full sovereignty over its entire Saharan territory,sending a strong message to the Algerian regime.

In his statement made Tuesday at the Senate hearing,Buchan said the U.S. supports Morocco’s serious,credible,and realistic Autonomy Proposal as the ONLY basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute.

“If confirmed,I will facilitate progress toward this goal”,said the U.S. nominee ambassador,citing U.S. call urging the parties to engage in discussions without delay,using Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal as the only framework,to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution.

He also pledged to strengthen further U.S.-Moroccan strategic partnership in security,economy,technology,transportation,agriculture,and energy sectors.

“King Mohammed VI is a valued leader and a friend of the United States”,said the diplomat,describing Morocco as a pillar of stability,and its strategic location makes it critical to American national security.

“Morocco is one of our oldest partners. Our Treaty of Peace and Friendship dates back to 1786. For almost two hundred and forty years,our bilateral relationship has made Americans and Moroccans safer,stronger,and more prosperous”,said the nominee ambassador.

Morocco has long been a key security counterpart,hosting AFRICOM’s largest joint military exercise,African Lion,and serving as a capable and reliable partner in combating terrorism,particularly in Africa,underlined the diplomat.

Duke Buchan III is a businessman and diplomat who served as U.S. ambassador to Spain and Andorra in the first Trump administration,a position he held from 2017 to 2021.

Born in 1963,Duke Buchan is known for his extensive work in both finance and diplomacy. He studied economics and Spanish at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.

After finishing his studies,Buchan built a successful career in global finance. He began his career at Merrill Lynch,where he gained expertise in global corporate finance and investment banking. He later worked at Maverick Capital,managing investments in banks and financial services.