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Morocco in turn is rocking. Donald Trump’s diplomatic activism aimed at enlisting as many Arab countries as possible in the normalization of their relations with Israel won, Thursday, December 10, a new success by convincing the kingdom of the Cherifian to take the plunge in the wake of the United Arab Emirates, of Barheïn and Sudan. The rumor had been rife for weeks, but the White House’s efforts appeared to be stumbling upon heavy hesitation in Rabat. It took the American president on departure to cut down the map of Western Sahara to finally win the assent of King Mohammed VI.
This is the “deal” announced by Mr. Trump in two almost simultaneous Tweet: the first announcing the « reconnaissance » by Washington from “Moroccan sovereignty” on Western Sahara; the second congratulating himself as “A historic breakthrough” from the conclusion of a « accord » between Morocco and Israel aiming to “Completely normalize” their relationships. A press release from the royal cabinet in Rabat quickly confirmed the information, announcing a “Resumption of official contacts” and “Diplomatic relations as soon as possible”. Western Sahara vs. Israel: A textbook case of Trump’s transactional diplomacy.
In Morocco, the press presents the “deal” mainly from the angle of a diplomatic victory for Morocco on the Sahrawi issue. The rupture in mid-November of a thirty-year-old ceasefire in Western Sahara, following incidents between the Moroccan army and the Polisario Front (Frente Popular de Liberacion de Saguia el Hamra y Rio de Oro), in Rabat’s eyes had increased the strategic stake around its “Southern provinces”.
“Morocco is playing in the big leagues”
The departure in 1976 of the former Spanish colonizer from this region had led to a conflict between the Saharawi separatists of the Polisario – supported by Algeria – and Rabat, which claims it. “Moroccanity”. A self-determination referendum on the future of Western Sahara was promised by a 1991 UN Security Council resolution, but Morocco has consistently opposed it, playing its influence with Western capitals .
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