Axios: No indicators of Biden’s Intention to Withdraw US Recognition of Moroccan Sovereignty over Sahara

The American “Axios” website reported that President Joe Biden’s administration is “in no rush to reverse Trump’s move on Western Sahara.”

The author of the article stated that “there are no signs that the Biden administration intends to roll back the Trump administration’s recognition of Western Sahara as part of Morocco anytime soon.”

According to the website, Trump’s move before leaving the White House marks “a dramatic shift in U.S. policy”, adding that retreating from this would harm relations with Morocco, and may push Rabat to backtrack on its promise to resume diplomatic relations with Israel, which was reached as part of the deal with Trump.

However, Axios confirmed that it had obtained information from “current and former US officials” that Biden’s administration seems to be in no hurry to deal with this issue.

It is noteworthy that a bipartisan group of 27 members of the Senate, led by Jim Inhofe (Republican) and Patrick Leahy (Democrat), signed a letter last week urging Biden to withdraw US recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Sahara.

According to the letter, “The abrupt decision by the previous administration […] was short-sighted, undermined decades of consistent U.S. policy, and alienated a significant number of African nations.”

On a finale note, the signatories added, “We respectfully urge you to reverse this misguided decision and recommit the United States to the pursuit of a referendum on self-determination for the Sahrawi people of Western Sahara.”