Sahara: 10 Facts, History, Sovereignty

The White House announced in a statement on Thursday that the United States "now recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over the entire territory of the Sahara," so what do we know about this important part of Moroccan soil?

The area of ​​the Moroccan Sahara, which was a former Spanish colony, is about 266,000 square kilometers.

Morocco runs about 80 percent of its area, and the rest is a buffer zone under the supervision of the United Nations.

The Moroccan Sahara has large reserves of phosphates, and it has many rich fishing spots.

The region witnessed an armed conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front between 1991 and 1995.

To solve the crisis, Morocco proposes to give the region autonomy under its sovereignty.

The Western Sahara is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and northwest, by Morocco on the north, by Algeria for a few miles in the northeast, and by Mauritania on the east and south.

The principal city is Laayoune.

In 1976 the Polisario Front declared a government-in-exile.

In the latter half of 2020, the Polisario Front began obstructing a key trade route between Morocco and Mauritania.

Morocco launched a military operation in November to break the blockade.

US Recognition of Sahara 

In this regard, observers described on Friday the United States ’recognition of the full sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over the entire region, as the culmination of the diplomatic approach, and the wise handling of this file over the years.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said in statements on Thursday to "Sky News Arabia" that the Sahara is Moroccan by history, democratic choice and international law.

After the momentum created by the UAE by opening its consulate in Laayoune city weeks ago, other Arab capitals announced their intention to open their diplomatic representation in southern Morocco, in a move that would gain Rabat regional and international support for its sovereignty over the Sahara.

Arab support for Morocco was preceded by African support, as 15 African consulates were opened in the same two cities, Laayoune and Dakhla.

“The United States recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over the entire territory of the Sahara and reaffirms its support for Morocco's serious, reliable and realistic proposal for autonomy as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the conflict over the Sahara lands… To this end, a consulate will be opened in the Sahara region in the city of Dakhla to promote economic and commercial opportunities for Morocco,” the White House statement stated on Thursday.