{"id":4029,"date":"2026-02-23T17:14:52","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T17:14:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/?p=4029"},"modified":"2026-02-23T18:15:56","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T18:15:56","slug":"washington-speeds-up-the-settlement-a-new-diplomatic-momentum-puts-the-sahara-issue-to-the-test-of-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/washington-speeds-up-the-settlement-a-new-diplomatic-momentum-puts-the-sahara-issue-to-the-test-of-decision\/","title":{"rendered":"Washington Speeds Up the Settlement\u2026 A New Diplomatic Momentum Puts the Sahara Issue to the Test of Decision"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a significant diplomatic move reflecting a shift in the United States\u2019 approach to the Sahara dispute, Washington is hosting a new round of talks bringing together the foreign ministers of Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania, with the participation of a representative of the Polisario. Beyond protocol, the meeting signals an attempt to move the process into a decisive phase under direct American engagement and within a timeline aimed at reaching tangible progress before next summer.<\/p>\n

This development marks a structural change. For years, the file remained confined to the UN framework characterized by procedural delays and political stalemate. Today, it appears increasingly guided by a more proactive American oversight, seeking to transform the Moroccan autonomy proposal into an operational framework capable of forming the basis of a final political agreement.<\/p>\n

Direct American Involvement and Diplomatic Pressure<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The process is steered by key figures within the U.S. administration, including advisors responsible for African affairs and national security coordination, reinforcing its executive dimension. This direct engagement signals Washington\u2019s intention to move beyond observation toward shaping a practical settlement mechanism grounded in realism and negotiation.<\/p>\n

At the same time, political signals are being conveyed to Algeria to encourage a more constructive role. Among these signals is discussion about potential adjustments to diplomatic representation levels \u2014 interpreted as strategic pressure. In parallel, debates within the U.S. Congress suggest stricter legal scrutiny toward armed groups that reject political solutions and contribute to regional instability.<\/p>\n

Washington also appears inclined to link economic cooperation and international assistance more closely to tangible commitment from the concerned parties to a compromise-based process.<\/p>\n

Autonomy as the Central Framework<\/strong><\/h2>\n

At the heart of the negotiations lies Morocco\u2019s autonomy initiative under national sovereignty, updated to clarify the distribution of powers. The revised proposal expands local authority over economic, social, and cultural affairs while preserving exclusive central competences over defense, national security, and foreign policy.<\/p>\n

National symbols \u2014 the flag and currency \u2014 remain embedded within the framework, reaffirming sovereignty while enabling broad self-governance.<\/p>\n

Internationally, the proposal benefits from growing support, notably from France and Spain. The referendum option, once central to diplomatic discourse, has gradually receded from mainstream discussions. The legal anchor referenced by Washington also includes UN Security Council Resolution 2797 (October 2025), which calls for a realistic, practical, and mutually acceptable political solution \u2014 wording aligned with the Moroccan initiative.<\/p>\n

From Development on the Ground to Practical Recognition<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Beyond diplomacy, developments on the ground significantly shape perceptions. La\u00e2youne and Dakhla have evolved into economic and diplomatic hubs hosting more than thirty foreign consulates \u2014 a figure interpreted as practical recognition of institutional reality.<\/p>\n

Morocco has allocated over 80 billion dirhams to major infrastructure projects, including the 1,100 km Tiznit\u2013Dakhla highway and the strategic Dakhla Atlantic Port, designed to strengthen Africa\u2013Atlantic connectivity and regional integration.<\/p>\n

In the energy sector, the region is emerging as a key investment destination for renewable energy and green hydrogen projects, attracting international companies operating under Moroccan sovereignty. These structural investments reinforce the irreversibility of development dynamics and add weight to the political argument.<\/p>\n

Political Participation and Institutional Legitimacy<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Active participation of local populations in regional elections and governance bodies further strengthens Morocco\u2019s position. Through elected councils managing local affairs, the model is presented as a concrete embodiment of self-determination within the framework of territorial integrity.<\/p>\n

A Decisive Phase?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Washington round represents more than a diplomatic meeting; it reflects an attempt to structure a negotiated settlement around autonomy within a defined timeframe. While its outcome depends on political will, the evolving trajectory shows that the center of gravity of the dossier is gradually shifting toward pragmatism, linking sovereignty, development, and regional stability.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In a significant diplomatic move reflecting a shift in the United States\u2019 approach to the Sahara dispute, Washington is hosting a new round of talks bringing together the foreign ministers of Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania, with the participation of a representative of the Polisario. Beyond protocol, the meeting signals an attempt to move the process […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4030,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39,43,42,41,76],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-4029","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-africa","8":"category-asia-americas","9":"category-europe-russia","10":"category-middle-east","11":"category-the-maghreb"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4029","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4029"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4029\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4031,"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4029\/revisions\/4031"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4030"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4029"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4029"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}