U.S. Accelerates Diplomatic Push in Western Sahara, Backing Morocco's Autonomy Plan

Landau Puts Economic and Security Aspects on the Table in His Contacts with Rabat and Algiers for “A Mutually Acceptable Solution”

U.S. authorities are keeping their diplomatic drive active in an effort to reach an agreement that would end the conflict in the former Spanish colony of Western Sahara. This was evident in the recent visits to Algeria and Morocco by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who raised issues related to the economy, trade and security cooperation—always anchored in Washington’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahrawi territory and its support for the autonomy plan, which the Polisario Front flatly rejects.

Landau travelled to Algeria on 27 April, beginning a short regional tour that took him to Morocco a few days later before returning on 1 May after several days of contacts with senior officials from both countries. These meetings were part of the latest round of talks in Madrid and Washington aimed at addressing the Western Sahara dispute, about which few details have been released so far.

A State Department spokesperson told Europa Press that Landau “reaffirmed during his interactions with Algerian and Moroccan officials the United States’ support for efforts to achieve a mutually acceptable solution to end the dispute in Western Sahara.” The task is inherently complex because the Polisario rejects Morocco’s autonomy plan, which Washington regards as the foundation for a peace process.

The spokesperson emphasized that the Trump administration “recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and backs the serious, credible and realistic Moroccan autonomy proposal as a basis for a fair, durable and mutually acceptable solution to this long‑standing territorial dispute,” without explaining how this stance could be reconciled with the Polisario’s position, which is backed by Algeria.

The visit also aimed to “advance economic, technological and security priorities in North Africa” within the framework of the “America First” policy promoted by the White House. This suggests that the contacts went beyond the immediate conflict and addressed medium‑ and long‑term issues.

“During his North Africa visit, Deputy Secretary Landau reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to work with Algeria and Morocco on expanding commercial interests, technological innovation and regional security,” the spokesperson said, highlighting the emphasis on security matters.

Security Conversations

Landau and U.S. Ambassador to Morocco Duke Buchan—who recently travelled to Dakhla, sparking Polisario criticism—met with Moroccan and American military officials who “work together” at the Ben Guerir air base in the Marrakech‑Safi region.

“This interaction underscored the solid, side‑by‑side defence cooperation that underpins the bilateral relationship and protects shared strategic interests,” the spokesperson noted, recalling years of deepening ties that led Trump, in late 2020, to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.

While defence cooperation with Morocco is well known, the spokesperson also highlighted Landau’s security meetings in Algeria, where he sat down with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune alongside the commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Dagvin Anderson.

“The deputy secretary and General Anderson met with President Tebboune to advance a shared commitment to regional peace through expanded bilateral security cooperation and the prioritisation of strategic partnerships that foster long‑term stability and prosperity,” the statement read, without specifying whether this process directly addresses the Western Sahara stalemate that has long divided Rabat and Algiers.

A Problem That “Doesn’t Benefit Anyone”

Landau, who did not disclose the details of his talks in Algeria and Morocco, used the week to stress that Washington “is trying to be helpful” in resolving the “long‑standing dispute” over Western Sahara, a territory the United Nations still classifies as a non‑self‑governing area awaiting decolonisation, with Spain remaining the de jure administering power.

“This conflict should have been resolved many, many years ago. It benefits no one’s interests—not the people living in the camps (referring to Sahrawi refugees in Algerian camps who have endured precarious conditions for five decades), nor Morocco, nor Algeria. It benefits no one,” Landau said.

He reiterated the autonomy plan as the “only” credible path—at a time when the document is gaining increasing support, including from Spain and France, and after a United Nations Security Council resolution in October 2025 that endorsed the Moroccan proposal as a basis for “unconditional talks.”

Landau also stressed the importance of “economic development” as a driver for a solution.

“One way to encourage an agreement that works for everyone is precisely to promote economic development in the area,” he argued. “I think if there are economic opportunities in places like Dakhla, that will give us a basis to tell the Polisario that it is absurd to keep people in camps for 50 years while there is significant economic progress.”

“We hope to have a positive economic relationship with Algeria and Morocco, because I believe there are important economic opportunities that can benefit everyone, including the Sahrawi people,” he added, before reiterating that Washington seeks “an agreement that can be backed by all parties” and warning that “the window to achieve it will not remain open indefinitely.”

It is not yet clear whether Washington will host another meeting like the one held in February—shortly after a gathering at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid that also involved Polisario and Mauritanian delegations. Moroccan government sources cited by Assahifa suggest a new meeting could occur in the coming days, though no official confirmation has been given.

Nevertheless, U.S. pressure and its backing of the autonomy plan could reshape the situation and undermine the Polisario’s historic claims, especially after the UN resolution that urged taking the Moroccan document “as a basis” for “talks without preconditions.”

The resolution calls for “a definitive, politically acceptable solution for all parties that includes the self‑determination of the people of Western Sahara,” and acknowledges that “genuine autonomy could be the most feasible outcome.”

After meeting Landau, President Tebboune recalled that “there is a UN resolution moving forward, without friction between Algeria and the United States,” adopting a calmer tone than other Algerian statements that usually invoke the Sahrawi right to self‑determination, which is increasingly being framed within diplomatic channels as international dynamics shift.