Othmani Rules Out US Reversal in Western Sahara Decision
Arab World
Rabat - Asharq Al-Awsat
Moroccan Prime Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani has ruled a possible move by US President-elect Joe Biden to reverse President Donald Trump’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara. Speaking at the House of Representatives (lower house) on Monday, Othmani pointed out that Trump’s decision was a culmination of years of Moroccan diplomatic efforts. He explained that the decision was mentioned in the explanatory report of the State Department’s budget and associated programs for the years 2018 and 2019 and issued by the Congress. The US presidential announcement is “very difficult to reverse through a Congressional law.” Othmani considered the US decision a “historical development” rather than just a “formal, ceremonial presidential proclamation.” It was followed by several decisions, including opening a consulate in the Western Sahara territory, in Dakhla, to promote economic and business opportunities for the region, as well as encouraging American investments in the Sahara region. US Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft sent a copy of Trump’s proclamation recognizing “that the entire Western Sahara territory is part of the Kingdom of Morocco” to UN chief Antonio Guterres and the Security Council earlier in December. Also, the US adopted a “new official” map of Morocco that includes Western Sahara. Othmani affirmed that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced opening a virtual consulate in Western Sahara, with a focus on promoting economic and social development, to be followed soon by a fully functioning consulate. He stressed that these steps reflect the seriousness of the US proclamation and its actual implementation. The PM noted that the kingdom will increase diplomatic efforts so that other countries join the US decision.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2709866/othmani-rules-out-us-reversal-western-sahara-decision
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