The impact of a second Donald Trump presidency is already resonating in the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
The Polisario Front has warned it will ramp up military attacks against Moroccan troops should support from France and the new US administration for Rabat’s alleged occupation of the region continue. Recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the land began under Trump’s previous administration. The move encouraging Morocco to accelerate ambitious projects in green energy, tourism and infrastructure, is stoking tensions with the Algeria-backed militant group.
Now, Morocco — which tightened its relationship with the US thanks to Rabat’s decision to boost diplomatic ties with Israel — feels buoyed by the return of Trump. Also, Rabat and Jerusalem’s ties have prospered despite widespread protests in the North African nation over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and Lebanon. In some ways, the ship has already sailed for the Polisario Front. Morocco has managed to attract a steady stream of other nations opening consulates in the southern city of Dakhla and is moving forward with long-held plans to create a global shipping hub on the Atlantic.
Morocco also plans to double production of green electricity in the disputed territory to meet growing demand before it co-hosts the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Recently, Ryanair decided to begin direct flights between Dakhla and Madrid and Lanzarote from 2025. The Polisario Front, however, says Morocco’s granting of permissions to Ryanair is illegal. Morocco’s claim to the region is not universally recognized, with the African Union and dozens of United Nations members see the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, as it’s known, as a country.
With the stakes rising, further tensions in Western Sahara would only add to a deteriorating security situation on the continent where Sudan remains locked in a bitter civil war that risks further destabilizing South Sudan and Chad to the south.
By Simon Marks original story: https://www.bloomberg.com/
