Morocco–Gulf Partnership: A Strategic Alliance with Unwavering Support for the Moroccan Sahara
By: Imane Alaoui
Relations between Morocco and the Gulf States continue, decade after decade, to reaffirm their exceptional character. They are built on deep ties and strong fraternal bonds that unite His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, with Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). It is a relationship grounded in mutual trust, strategic convergence, and the conviction of a shared destiny.
The official invitation extended to Morocco on May 11, 2011, by the GCC Supreme Council to join the organization was an eloquent testament to the prominent place the Kingdom holds among its Gulf partners. It also reflected these countries’ strong belief in the central role Morocco plays in regional security and stability.
This strategic trajectory did not emerge from nowhere. It is the result of strong historical ties and a shared vision driven by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, as illustrated in his speech delivered at the Morocco-Gulf Summit held in Riyadh on April 20, 2016. In that address, the Sovereign stressed that the partnership between the two sides had reached a level of maturity that required the modernization of its institutional framework and operational mechanisms. He also expressed Morocco’s determination to elevate this relationship to the level of a comprehensive strategic alliance, based on efficiency, commitment, and continuous coordination.
The Riyadh Summit of April 20, 2016 thus gave renewed momentum to this partnership. The participation of His Majesty King Mohammed VI alongside GCC leaders marked a crucial milestone in strengthening this strategic cooperation. The Gulf leaders firmly reiterated that the Moroccan Sahara issue is also a cause championed by the Council’s member states. They renewed their full support for the Moroccanness of the Sahara and for the Autonomy Initiative, which they consider the only serious and realistic basis for resolving this manufactured conflict, while rejecting any attempt to harm the Kingdom’s supreme interests or its territorial stability.
This collective stance sent a clear message: the security and stability of Morocco are an integral part of the security of the Gulf States, and the convergence of positions constitutes a key pillar in building a strong political and defensive alliance.
In the same spirit, the 45th Gulf Summit held in Kuwait on December 1, 2024 confirmed the continuity of this strategic orientation. Its final communiqué emphasized the importance of the privileged partnership between Morocco and the GCC, as well as the implementation of the joint action plan. Once again, it reaffirmed the Supreme Council’s consistent position in support of the Moroccanness of the Sahara and rejected any attempt to undermine the Kingdom’s security or territorial integrity. The communiqué also welcomed UN Security Council Resolution 2756, adopted on October 31, 2024, which represents a significant diplomatic achievement and strengthens the legitimacy of Morocco’s position by consolidating the Autonomy Initiative as the realistic and definitive solution to the dispute.
Taken together, these milestones demonstrate that relations between Morocco and the Gulf States are not the result of circumstantial cooperation. Rather, they are part of a comprehensive strategic alliance, constantly evolving and supported by a shared vision and a deep understanding of regional challenges. At the heart of this dynamic, the firm and unwavering support of the Gulf countries for the Moroccanness of the Sahara remains one of the most visible pillars of this partnership—an alliance anchored in strategy, sovereignty, and enduring fraternal solidarity.
