Morocco has welcomed a delegation of US Congress members to Rabat, who used the visit to reaffirm Washington’s support for Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and encourage heightened American investment in the country’s southern provinces.
During talks with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, the visiting officials praised the long-standing bilateral partnership.
Congressman Mike Lawler highlighted the United States’ formal recognition of Morocco’s 2007 autonomy plan, stressing that this political support should now be complemented by tangible economic initiatives.
“These investments would strengthen the centuries-old ties between Rabat and Washington,” Lawler said, noting Morocco’s historic role as the first country to recognize the independence of the United States in 1777.
The US delegation also underscored the strategic importance of both security and economic cooperation. Lawler thanked Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, for its efforts in promoting regional and continental stability.
His colleague, Congressman Ritchie Torres, described Morocco as “the United States’ best friend in North Africa,” highlighting the country’s pivotal position at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
This visit takes place within the broader context of the American administration’s reaffirmation of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara, a policy officially recognized in December 2020.
US lawmakers now argue that such political acknowledgment should be accompanied by concrete actions, particularly investment projects aimed at fostering economic development in Morocco’s southern regions.
Officials emphasized that targeted economic support could help boost infrastructure, create jobs, and enhance living standards for local communities, reinforcing Morocco’s strategic role in regional stability.
The delegation’s visit reflects ongoing efforts to deepen the US-Morocco partnership, not only through diplomatic channels but also via practical investment and development initiatives, with a particular focus on the country’s southern provinces.
By combining political recognition with economic engagement, Washington and Rabat aim to strengthen both regional security and prosperity, solidifying a relationship that has endured for more than two centuries.
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