U.S. State Department’s Clear Message: No Referendum, No Secession, the Sahara is Moroccan Forever

By ALDAR / Iman Alaoui

Through an official post on its “X” account, the U.S. State Department reaffirmed Washington’s unwavering stance on the Moroccan Sahara issue, stressing that America’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara—first announced under President Donald Trump’s administration—remains firm and unshakable.

The American statement did not stop at reiterating the political position. It went further, underscoring the promotion of U.S. investments throughout Morocco, including in the southern provinces—an explicit indication that Washington views the Sahara as an integral part of Morocco’s national territory.

The State Department also reiterated its clear and unequivocal support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007, describing it as the only realistic and credible solution to end this regional dispute, while at the same time calling for the resumption of negotiations under United Nations auspices.

This American message carries profound diplomatic weight. It shuts the door on Algeria and the Polisario’s attempts to revive the option of a referendum or secession, and makes clear that the U.S. position is no longer subject to revision or reversal. Moreover, the use of direct and decisive language such as “no referendum, no secession” represents a stinging blow to Algeria’s official discourse, often echoed in international forums.

This stance also highlights the consistency of U.S. policy with that of a growing number of global, African, and Arab powers that now consider autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the sole viable framework to resolve a conflict that has lasted for decades.

On the economic front, Washington’s call for its companies to invest in Morocco’s southern provinces is not a mere commercial announcement. It is a strategic step that consolidates Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara on the ground through development projects, infrastructure, and international partnerships. This approach reinforces Morocco’s vision of turning cities like Laayoune and Dakhla into major economic hubs linking Europe, Africa, and Latin America.

It also reflects the U.S.’s desire to bolster stability in the Maghreb and the Sahel by strengthening Morocco’s role as a key strategic partner, particularly in renewable energy, maritime security, and transcontinental investments.

Washington’s latest message leaves no room for ambiguity: Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara is an irreversible fact in U.S. policy, autonomy is the only solution, and investment in the southern provinces is the practical embodiment of this recognition. It is a clear signal that the Sahara issue will not return to old debates, and that the international community is increasingly aligning with Morocco’s vision as the only realistic and sustainable way forward.