The United States remains firmly committed to Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal as the only basis for resolving the dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, US Ambassador to Morocco Richard Duke Buchan III said on Tuesday, reaffirming Washington’s support for the Kingdom’s position on the issue.
Speaking during a reception held at the historic Chellah site in Rabat to celebrate the United States’ national day, Buchan said that “the United States, and especially President Donald Trump, stand firmly with Morocco,” underscoring the continuity of American support for Morocco’s sovereignty-driven initiative.
The ambassador described the autonomy plan as the sole framework capable of delivering a just, realistic, and lasting solution to the regional dispute over the Sahara.
His remarks come as Morocco continues to secure growing international backing for its autonomy initiative, which Rabat considers the only credible path toward ending the conflict.
Beyond the political dimension, Buchan highlighted the economic prospects emerging in the Moroccan Sahara, describing the opportunities in the region as “unlimited.”
He said American companies are prepared to contribute to the development of the southern provinces through investment, innovation, and strategic partnerships across multiple sectors.
According to the ambassador, US businesses can play a key role in transforming the region’s economic potential into concrete projects that generate employment, introduce trusted technologies, and connect local economies to global markets.
The comments reflect increasing American interest in the economic development of the Moroccan Sahara, particularly as the Kingdom advances major infrastructure, renewable energy, logistics, and investment projects in the region.
Buchan’s remarks on the Sahara formed part of a broader message emphasizing the strength of the US-Morocco strategic partnership, which he described as stronger than ever.
He also praised Morocco’s role as a pillar of stability in a rapidly changing world, attributing the Kingdom’s position to the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
The ambassador recalled that Morocco was the first country to recognize the independence of the United States, laying the foundations for a relationship that has endured for nearly two and a half centuries.
He pointed to recent milestones in bilateral cooperation, including the inauguration of the new US Consulate headquarters in Casablanca and the joint organization of the African Lion military exercise.
Buchan also highlighted the American Legation in Tangier, the oldest US diplomatic property in the world, as a symbol of the historic ties linking the two nations.
Concluding his remarks, the ambassador said Morocco and the United States remain united by a partnership built on trust, shared interests, and a common vision for the future, including continued cooperation in support of stability and development in the Moroccan Sahara.
