Trump’s Envoy Reaffirms: The Moroccan Autonomy Initiative is the Only Realistic Path to Resolve the Sahara Conflict

Masad Boulos, senior adviser to President Donald Trump on African affairs, confirmed that Washington is continuing discussions with the UN regarding the extension of MINURSO’s mandate. He stressed that the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco remains “the only viable solution” to the Sahara dispute. This statement is in line with the longstanding U.S. position, already echoed by several specialized diplomatic sources.

During a meeting with Staffan de Mistura, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the Sahara, Boulos reiterated the importance of renewing the mission’s mandate. He declared that “the United States is consistent in its approach: genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the sole basis for a fair, lasting, and mutually acceptable settlement, bringing prosperity, peace, and stability to the region.” Washington thus intends to combine political support with economic incentives as part of its broader North Africa strategy.

This stance comes a day after Christopher Landau, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, announced his government’s intention to encourage American companies to invest in the Sahara, explicitly recognizing Moroccan sovereignty. In his meeting with Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Landau highlighted “the strong historical ties between Rabat and Washington” and the shared commitment to promoting regional stability.

These initiatives are part of a strategic effort led by Morocco, with the backing of the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, aimed at redefining MINURSO’s role. The proposal seeks to replace its current referendum-focused mandate with one that explicitly supports the implementation of the autonomy plan.