The recent letter sent by U.S. President Donald Trump to King Mohammed VI,reaffirming America’s recognition of Morocco’s full sovereignty over its entire Saharan territory has knocked down the Algerian regime which has squandered billions of US dollars for nearly five decades on a lost cause.
According to intelligence reports,Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune has been reportedly transferred to a European hospital for medical treatment after clashes during an emergency meeting of the Algerian Security Council.
The Algerian rulers have pinned high hopes on a possible change of Trump’s supportive stand of Moroccan sovereignty over its Sahara. But their expectations proved wrong,prompting finger-pointing from all members of the Council.
Since the return of Trump to the White House,the Algerian junta has engaged extensive lobbying in Washington in a bid to convince Trump administration to reverse its decision on the Sahara.
In 2020,the Algerian authorities had lambasted Trump’s decision to recognize the Moroccanness of the Sahara. Now,they said “the sky is the limit” to their cooperation with the Americans who were not impressed by their proposed deals in exchange for a shift in U.S. longstanding regional geostrategic alliances.
The Algerian propaganda went even further in framing and deceiving the public opinion alleging the U.S. Congress voted against legislation designating the Polisario a terrorist organization and claiming that Trump could change his position with business incentives.
The orchestrated Algerian misinformation warfare intensified during the regional tour paid lately by U.S. presidential advisor Massad Boulos to the Maghreb (Tunisia,Libya and Algeria).
But the delusional Algerian rulers were smacked by President Trump. In an official letter sent to King Mohammed VI on the occasion of the Throne Day,the U.S. President made it clear that the United States recognizes Morocco’s full sovereignty over its entire Saharan territory and supports Morocco’s “serious,credible,and realistic Autonomy Proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute.”
It is not a mere protocol letter but a strong political statement. It reaffirms that Moroccan Sahara is not a subject of debate on the agenda of the Trump administration,expected to release $5 billion funding for the development of the Moroccan Sahara,set to become a major regional economic hub,says Africa Intelligence news website.
After years of being frozen under Joe Biden’s Democratic administration,the Trump administration will release the funding and encourage US companies to invest in the Sahara.
For his part,U.S. ambassador designate to Morocco Duke Buchan pledged at his hearing in the Senate to facilitate progress toward Moroccan Autonomy plan as the only framework basis for reaching a mutually acceptable solution.
He also pledged to strengthen further U.S.-Moroccan strategic partnership in security,economy,technology,transportation,agriculture,and energy sectors,describing Morocco as a pillar of stability,a country whose strategic location makes it critical to American national security.
Algeria,which says it is not a party to the Sahara conflict,has once again found itself embroiled in an embarrassing position. The Autonomy plan offered by Morocco for the Sahara under its sovereignty is gaining momentum,while the Algeria-backed separatist project has lost its luster in the new world order taking shape.
The American recognition of the Sahara as a Moroccan territory is not fortuitous but a well-thought decision of the United States. It is a calculated step within a broader US vision to promote stability in North Africa and the Sahel region.
The United States sees Morocco as a reliable strategic partner in the fight against terrorism,regional trade development,and countering the expanding influence of Russia and China in Africa. Thus,the American backing of the Moroccan autonomy plan is not only a strategic support for the North African Kingdom,but also an investment in regional security and stability.
Morocco,which is developing its southern provinces within the frame of its advanced regionalization plan,is not negotiating from a position of weakness,nor imposing its project on anyone. Rabat is offering a realistic solution for reaching a last peace in the region,while Algiers continues obstructing and disrupting the Sahara peaceful settlement,without presenting an acceptable alternative or a clear roadmap.
Trump’s letter comes amidst a growing international support for the Moroccan position,narrowing Algeria’s margin of maneuvers as the Moroccan Autonomy plan imposes itself as the ONLY viable and doable solution,which enjoys growing international legitimacy.
During his latest Maghreb tour,Trump special advisor has delivered the US president message in “strong and clear” terms to Algeria and set a 90-day timetable to comply or face consequences. It’s time for the Algerian junta to pay the piper. Enough is enough after holding the region hostage for nearly five-decades. Everyone agrees that it is time to move forward.
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