US Congress Enhances US Support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan

The US 2016 Appropriations Bill approved on Friday by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama requires that US aid to Morocco be used everywhere in the country, including in southern provinces.

In its legislative report for the bill, the Congress re-affirms its strong bipartisan support for longstanding US policy to support a negotiated solution to the dispute over the region based on autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, and encourages investment in Morocco’s southern provinces by the US private sector.

Funds made available for assistance for Morocco shall also be made available for any region or territory administered by Morocco, including Morocco’s southern provinces, the report added, noting that Congress remains concerned by the failure to resolve the longstanding dispute over the Sahara and the situation of populations in Tindouf camps (Algeria).

The US Congress believes that “the Secretary of State (John Kerry) should pursue a negotiated settlement to the dispute, consistent with United States policy to support a solution to the issue based on a formula of autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.”

These redoubled diplomatic efforts can lead to a realistic and lasting settlement, the report went on.

Three US administrations – Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama – and strong bipartisan majorities in Congress have supported autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty for the Sahara.

In a joint statement after HM King Mohammed VI’s visit to Washington, DC, the Sovereign and President Obama pledged a “shared commitment to the improvement of the lives of the people of the Sahara”.

Over the past several decades, Morocco has invested billions of dollars in economic and social development in the area.

The country has also recently launched a regionalization project to devolve political power to local and regional authorities throughout the country, including in southern provinces.

In a speech to the nation in November, HM the King announced a broad range of additional new development projects aimed at enhancing progress in southern provinces and furthering its role as a hub for trade and investment in Africa, including an enhanced road network; airports to serve African destinations; a rail link between Tangier and Lagouira to connect Morocco with the rest of Africa; and a new economic development fund that will support businesses and social economy, generate steady incomes and create jobs, particularly for young people.

“Both the US and Morocco have committed to improving the lives of the Sahrawis”, said Jordan Paul, Executive Director of the Moroccan American Center for Policy.

“I am very pleased that the US government is supporting our oldest and most reliable ally in the region in its efforts to further the development of its Saharan provinces,” he added.