The State Department says genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only feasible solution to the conflict over Western Sahara

Washington recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and supports the North African country's "serious, credible, and realistic" autonomy plan as the only basis for a solution to a longstanding dispute over the territory, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has declared.

Rubio made the remarks during a meeting on Tuesday with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, according to a State Department press release.

Morocco de facto controls around 80% of Western Sahara, which it annexed shortly after Spain gave up control over the desert territory in 1975. The claim has been a source of regional tension and a decades-long conflict between Rabat and the Algerian-backed Polisario Front. The separatist group has expressed support for a self-determination referendum, which was initially proposed by the UN in 1991 as part of a ceasefire agreement but has since stalled.

Rabat has repeatedly ruled out the possibility of a vote that would grant independence to the sparsely populated region, instead pushing for autonomy under Morocco. The Moroccan government has since sought international recognition for its claims and support for the plan, under which it intends to delegate administrative, legislative, and judicial powers to local residents while maintaining the Moroccan flag and currency. The kingdom would also be in charge of the region's foreign policy, security, and defense, which the Polisario Front has opposed.

The US has previously affirmed Moroccan sovereignty over the non-self-governing territory, and its ally, Israel, did the same in 2023. Last year, France reversed its stance andendorsedthe plan after years of strained relations with Rabat, which were caused by the French government's previous neutrality on the issue. French President Emmanuel Macron said the proposal is the only viable route to resolving the territorial dispute over the North African region.

"The United States continues to believe that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only feasible solution," State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said following Rubio's meeting with the Moroccan foreign minister.

"The secretary reaffirmed President Trump's urging for the parties to engage in discussions without delay, using Morocco's Autonomy Proposal as the only framework, to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution. The secretary noted that the United States would facilitate progress toward this aim," Bruce added.

Algeria, a long-standing advocate for Western Saharan self-determination, has expressed "regret" over Washington's reaffirmed position, arguing that it violates international law and UN Security Council resolutions. Algiers previously criticized Paris for backing Morocco's claims, calling it a counterproductive action that could escalate the conflict in the region.

"Western Sahara remains a non-self-governing territory within the meaning of the United Nations Charter, and the people of this territory retain the right to self-determination," the Algerian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

(RT.com)