U.S. actions in the Western Sahara confronted by Berlin
The normalization of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel has been a topic of discussion, but it's not the only issue causing controversy. The US's recognition of Morocco's claim to Western Sahara has sparked criticism within the German government and beyond.
Last Monday, the UN Security Council discussed the Western Sahara conflict at the initiative of the German federal government, but without result. The international legal status of Western Sahara remains unresolved, a fact that has been a concern for Germany for many years.
Niels Annen, State Minister in the Foreign Office of Germany, has criticized the US recognition, stating it is one-sided. He emphasized that the normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel is a positive development, but it does not change the unresolved international legal status of Western Sahara.
John Bolton, former security advisor to the US, has also voiced his criticism, stating that the recognition sacrifices decades of US policy towards Western Sahara for a quick foreign policy victory. He argued that the move contradicts UN Security Council resolutions, which have consistently called for a referendum on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara.
The US has presented a map of Morocco that includes the disputed Western Sahara territory as part of the kingdom. This recognition was initiated by former US President Donald Trump in December 2020, who officially recognized Morocco's full sovereignty over Western Sahara as part of a deal in which Morocco normalized diplomatic relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords.
The move aimed to support Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, seen as the 'only realistic solution' by Trump, and was part of strategic diplomatic benefits including strengthening ties with Israel. However, this recognition has faced criticism, not only from Germany but also from the international community, as it goes against the principles of self-determination and the respect for the territorial integrity of nations.
Germany, along with other nations, has been committed to a political solution to the conflict in Western Sahara for many years. The unresolved status of the region continues to be a source of tension and conflict, and it is crucial that all parties involved work towards a peaceful and fair resolution that respects the rights and self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
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