From the Heart of Algiers: Trump’s Senior Advisor for African Affairs Reaffirms U.S. Recognition of Morocco’s Sovereignty over the Sahara and Calls for Negotiations Based on Autonomy

ALDAR/ Iman Alaoui

The Algerian newspaper El Watan conducted an exclusive interview with Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor to former U.S. President Donald Trump for Africa and the Middle East, during his recent visit to Algeria. The meeting was marked by a clear and explicit renewal of U.S. support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara—a position that unsettled Algerian decision-makers, especially since it was delivered from the heart of the Algerian capital by a high-ranking American official.

In response to a question about the U.S. stance on the Western Sahara conflict, Boulos stated that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had recently reaffirmed Washington’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces and reiterated support for the Moroccan autonomy plan, describing it as “the only serious, realistic, and credible basis” for achieving a lasting and acceptable resolution to the dispute.

Boulos emphasized that the U.S. administration sees no solution outside the framework of autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, calling it “the only viable option.” He also noted that President Donald Trump had previously urged all involved parties to enter into immediate and constructive negotiations, with the Moroccan proposal serving as the sole foundation for this process.

Furthermore, the U.S. official revealed that he had discussed this position clearly and directly with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf, confirming the United States’ commitment to supporting peace efforts and joint cooperation aimed at resolving this long-standing regional conflict.

This statement, made from the center of Algiers, represents yet another diplomatic blow to the Algerian authorities, who continue to rely on diplomatic maneuvers in an attempt to slow the growing international recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara. Meanwhile, Washington appears determined to uphold its firm stance since the historic 2020 decision by the Trump administration to recognize the Kingdom of Morocco’s sovereignty over its entire national territory.