US Affirms Commitment to Developing Sahara Region under Morocco’s Sovereignty

United Nations (New York) – US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau affirmed, on Friday in New York, the United States’ commitment to the development of the Sahara region under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco.

“We reaffirmed the longstanding friendship between our two countries, as well as our shared vision for the development of the Sahara region and for enhanced cooperation under Morocco’s sovereignty over this territory,” Landau told the press following talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

In this regard, the senior US official stressed that the United States “looks forward to working with Morocco and the other relevant stakeholders to resolve this conflict once and for all.”

Expressing regret that this regional dispute has persisted for more than 50 years, Landau pointed out that “this status quo cannot be maintained.”

He also said that, during the meeting, he had reaffirmed that the “longstanding and deep friendship” between Rabat and Washington “will continue into the future,” while noting that relations between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Morocco are at “an all-time high.”