Assahafa.com
US top advisor Massad Boulos said in a new interview that the recent momentum on the Western Sahara issue is the direct result of the “deep partnership and continued cooperation” between the US and Morocco.
In his interview earlier this week with Algerian newspaper An-Nahar, Boulos recalled Washington’s steadfast position and welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2797, describing it as a historic moment that opens new possibilities for long-awaited peace efforts in the region.
The Security Council adopted Resolution 2797 on 31 October last year, extending MINURSO’s mandate and recognizing Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a genuine political solution to resolve the dispute over Western Sahara.
The resolution recognized that the autonomy “could represent a most feasible outcome and encourages the parties to submit ideas to support a final mutually-acceptable solution.”
It also urged all parties to the dispute, including Algeria, to shoulder their responsibility in the dispute and to support UN envoy Staffan de Mistura’s efforts in the UN-led political process to find a mutually acceptable political solution to the dispute.
Despite the UN’s explicit terms on Algeria’s direct involvement, the Algerian regime continues to deny responsibility in the dispute to promote outdated narratives in favor of the referendum and self-determination.
For Algeria’s regime, Morocco “failed” to make the autonomy plan the exclusive framework for resolving the dispute. It also continues to reject taking part in roundtable negotiations as called upon by UN officials, including de Mistura.
In the interview, An-Nahar also asked Boulos about the ties between Algeria and the US amid Washington’s position in support of Morocco’s territorial integrity.
For Boulos, the two countries have a strong partnership “aimed at promoting regional peace, security, and prosperity under the leadership of President Trump and President Tebboune.”
“The U.S hopes to facilitate commercial access to the Algerian market for American businesses and collaborate on opportunities for mutual prosperity,” he added.
Boulos made similar remarks in October last year, reaffirming the US position on Western Sahara.
He also said in his interview with Asharq news that Algeria had expressed “willingness” to improve ties with Morocco.
He recalled his meeting with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, saying that Algiers “expressed their willingness to improve ties with their Moroccan neighbors – with Morocco, with the Moroccan people, with His Majesty the King, the Moroccan government, and the brotherly Moroccan nation.”
In November, however, Algeria’s regime denied negotiating a peace deal with Morocco – challenging comments by both Boulos and Trump’s envoy Steve Wiktoff.
“I was surprised by this statement, because personally I am not aware of any project for a peace agreement between the two countries mentioned,” said Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf.
Source: Morocco word news
