Morocco's Diplomatic Triumph Redefining the Sahara Issue in Global Politics

Under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Moroccan diplomacy has undergone a deep strategic transformation in addressing the issue of the Moroccan Sahara. What was once a defensive narrative has shifted toward assertive initiative, influence, and leadership. Through a calm, realistic, and legitimacy-based foreign policy—anchored in international law and historical rights—Morocco has turned a conflict long trapped in ideological stagnation and geopolitical tension into a diplomatically and politically resolved matter in the eyes of much of the world. The growing international recognition and the unprecedented pace of consulate openings in the southern provinces are a testament to this accumulated success.

The official recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara by the United States in December 2020 marked a watershed moment. When a major global power and a permanent member of the UN Security Council declares such a position, it is not merely symbolic—it is a diplomatic act with substantial weight and implications. This move significantly reinforced Morocco’s 2007 autonomy initiative, now widely regarded as the most serious, credible, and realistic framework for resolving the regional conflict.

In this context, an increasing number of major global powers and regional actors have clearly expressed their support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara and for the credibility of the Moroccan proposal. Among these countries are: the United States, Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Hungary, Romania, Cyprus, as well as key Arab, Latin American, and African nations such as the GCC, Jordan, Senegal, and Gabon. This growing international consensus is not merely a political gain; it reflects a shift in how the world views the Sahara issue—as a question of peace and development rather than of dispute and division.

One of the most visible signs of this shift has been the remarkable wave of consulate openings in Morocco’s southern cities of Laayoune and Dakhla. Over thirty countries have established diplomatic missions in these cities, signaling not only support for Morocco’s sovereignty but also an eagerness to engage in direct cooperation with the Kingdom in its southern territories. These diplomatic actions are not ceremonial—they are concrete affirmations of Morocco’s territorial integrity and recognition of the Sahara as an integral part of the Kingdom.

At the heart of this transformation lies the Moroccan autonomy initiative—a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s approach to resolving the conflict. It proposes a progressive form of self-governance that allows the Saharan population to manage their local affairs within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty. This proposal respects the cultural specificities of the region while ensuring national unity, stability, and sustainable development. It remains the only viable and widely supported solution under the auspices of the United Nations. In contrast, separatist proposals have grown increasingly outdated, disconnected from regional and international realities, and devoid of any meaningful support.

Behind this diplomatic success stands the visionary leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who has made the Sahara issue a central pillar of Morocco’s foreign policy. In his speech marking the 47th anniversary of the Green March, the King stated:

“The Sahara issue is the lens through which Morocco views the world, and it is the clear standard by which the sincerity of friendships and the effectiveness of partnerships are measured.”

This powerful statement summarizes Morocco’s new diplomatic doctrine, one that no longer tolerates ambiguity or half-measures. It calls on Morocco’s partners to adopt clear and unequivocal positions regarding an issue that lies at the core of the nation’s sovereignty.

Moroccan diplomacy has also made tangible breakthroughs within regional and international organizations. The Kingdom has successfully ensured the representation of its southern provinces in international events and forums—as Moroccan regions in their own right. Even within the African Union, long paralyzed by rigid positions, Morocco is regaining influence, supported by a growing number of African countries that now see the Kingdom as a developmental and strategic partner rather than a political adversary.

Morocco’s diplomatic victory in the Sahara issue does not mean the battle is over—it signals the beginning of a new phase of consolidation and reinforcement on the ground. The next challenge lies in accelerating socio-economic development in the southern provinces, linking them with national mega-projects, and further integrating them into the national decision-making process. In doing so, Morocco will continue to present the world with a unique model of local governance and territorial unity.

Ultimately, Morocco has demonstrated once again that steadfast commitment to a just cause is not incompatible with strategic pragmatism. When diplomacy is built on legal legitimacy, historical depth, and developmental achievement, it can shift global narratives, change power dynamics, and establish new diplomatic realities—both on the ground and in the collective international conscience.

by Hicham El Cadi

me@cadihicham.com