The American State Department’s Matthew Miller reiterated the country’s steadfast support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Moroccan Sahara during a press conference in Washington on Tuesday.

Miller stressed that the U.S. had already adopted this position in December 2020 and that there has been no change since then in response to questions regarding Israel’s recent recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty.

Miller made it very apparent that there is no place for doubt or change in the U.S. government’s position that the Moroccan Sahara is an essential component of Morocco.

There is nothing more to say, he claimed, other than to note that the United States took this action in December 2020 and that nothing has changed since then.

In the meantime, we wholeheartedly support Staffan de Mistura’s efforts as the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy to find a just and long-lasting political settlement to the Western Sahara conflict.

During the press conference that followed the meeting between Israeli President Isaac Herzog and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, a reporter’s query prompted the spokesperson to respond.

This meeting took place after Israel formally acknowledged Morocco’s complete sovereignty over its southern provinces and announced its desire to establish a consulate in Dakhla.

Miller said he is not currently keeping track of the development of the idea to open a U.S. consulate in Dakhla, which has been delayed.

The restart of relations between Morocco and Israel, he pointed out, has been a definite good development, and the United States is still working to widen the circle of peace partners.

Read Also: His Majesty the King: Israel’s Decision to Recognize Kingdom’s Sovereignty over its Sahara and to Favorably Consider Opening a Consulate in Dakhla Is ‘Both Just and Far-Sighted’

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The Algerian government was criticized by the US for categorizing two anti-regime political groups as terrorist organizations.

The US State Department noted that “Algerian authorities targeted more frequently the Berber separatist Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie and the Islamist movement Rachad, which the government designated as terrorist organizations in May” in its “Country Reports on Terrorism 2021.”

“The United States deems these designations more political than security focused, given both groups are fiercely anti-government and do not appear to have engaged in what the United States regards as terrorist acts,” the statement read. The Algerian government “occasionally charged individuals with terrorism-related crimes for activities that appeared to constitute expression and peaceful activism,” the State Department noted, adding that Algerian authorities “have notably refrained from discussing these groups or the alleged threats they pose” in counterterrorism-related engagement with the United States.

The same source added that Algeria “used the new changes to imprison political activists and outspoken critics of the regime” after expanding the definition of terrorist actions and creating a national list of terrorist individuals and companies in 2021.

Read Also: Triple distinction for Casablanca Mohammed V airport

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As evidenced by the recent acceleration of state military and defense agreements signed, Morocco is adamant about establishing itself as a significant military force in the region.

The House of Representatives approved a draft law on weapons, ammunition, and defense and security supplies, which pave the way for investment in the Kingdom’s booming military industry.

By signing an agreement on industrial compensation, the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and the American aerospace company Boeing recently paved the way for advanced industrial cooperation.

In accordance with the most recent aeronautical standards, this agreement “includes strengthening the autonomy of the Royal Air Forces in meteorology, manufacturing and repair of various composite spare parts and superstructures,” according to a statement from the National Defense Administration.

In other words, Morocco will gain from a technology transfer necessary to become a subcontractor and a major player in the military industry in the medium term.

A squadron of F-16 fighters and Apache aircraft, which are anticipated to enter service next year, will be made available to the Kingdom thanks to its most recent agreement with the American Boeing Company, ensuring its role in the region.

The Moroccan F-16 Block is currently undergoing modernization at the American Lockheed Company, and it will soon be outfitted with air-to-surface missiles, cutting-edge radars, and the newest technologies.

In order to be compatible with their offensive missions, the Apaches are also subject to modifications.

With plans to establish a defense industrial and technological base in the Kingdom, the InfoDefensa outlet claimed that the signing of a partnership agreement with Boeing transforms Morocco into a “compelling” regional power that surpasses all of its neighbors.

Technical alterations are being made to the American Apache helicopters that the Royal Air Force requested.

Inter-Coastal Electronics was granted a $11.3 million contract by the US Department of Defense to provide a tactical simulation system for Apache helicopters.

As part of a contract between Boeing Aircraft Industry and the Royal Armed Forces, which stipulates that the latter will purchase 24 Apache helicopters, the Kingdom was preparing to receive the first batch of American “AH-64E” Apache helicopters this year.

The AH-64E Apache warplanes, known for their excellent ability to navigate in a variety of different environments, are being acquired for the first time by Morocco. They are equipped with an accurate targeting system that can provide information about targets, whether they are in the day, night, or underwater.

Since it was first introduced in 1989 and is still in use today by Egypt, Greece, Israel, the Netherlands, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, the Apache has maintained its position as the best attack helicopter.

According to the aforementioned platform’s report on the agreement’s specifics, it is anticipated to include military purchases totaling up to $4 billion, which the United States estimates will cover 12 additional devices with options, weapons, replacement parts, materials, and other related services.

The agreement also demonstrates the parties’ desire to advance the development of a defense industrial and technological base while fostering the expansion of their already successful partnership.

The signed agreement aims to help the nation create job opportunities while also reviving its aviation sector. It includes, among other things, the supply of spare parts to local manufacturers worth $150 million.

The agreement calls for the Royal Moroccan Air Force to be strengthened in the areas of measurement, manufacture, and repair of various superstructures and spare parts to meet the most modern aviation standards. It also calls for cooperation in research, development, and technology transfer through the certification of Moroccan engineering firms.

Read Also: Morocco and Saudi Arabia sign MoU to strengthen judicial cooperation

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to speed up the appointment of a UN envoy to the Moroccan Sahara.

This came during a meeting Blinken held with Guterres, on Monday, to discuss US priorities at the United Nations.

A statement issued by the US State Department clarified that Secretary Blinken emphasized the US support for political negotiations.

Weeks ago, Ned Price, Spokesperson for the US State Department announced that his country will continue to support the international process in order to reach a just and lasting solution to the long-running conflict in Morocco.

“There is no update at the moment,” Price said at the time, when asked about the position of Biden’s administration adding, “I think what we have said broadly still applies” on the Sahara issue.

“We will continue to support the UN process to implement a just and lasting solution to this longstanding dispute, the dispute in Morocco”, he stated. “We’ll also support the work of the mission of the United Nations for the referendum in Western Sahara to the – to monitor the ceasefire and to prevent violence in the area.”

It should be recalled that in May 2019, the United Nations announced the resignation of its special envoy to the Sahara, the former German president, Horst Kohler, due to health reasons; the position now remains vacant.

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In the event that the new administration approves Trump’s policy in this field, it is expected that Morocco will receive the four drones.

Reuters reported yesterday, Thursday, that the administration of US President Joe Biden wants to keep a controversial policy from the era of his predecessor, Donald Trump, which led to the start of the sale of armed drones to countries whose human rights records are subject to scrutiny in the United States and other countries.

The same source indicated that Biden’s retention of the policy of former US President Trump, in the field of arms sales, especially drones, would lead to the approval of many deals which were suspended by the US Congress, with countries such as Morocco and the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, and India.

The same source added that members of the US Congress had previously suspended the sale of four drones to Morocco, due to objections to the decision to recognize Morocco’ sovereignty over Sahara, a deal that Donald Trump had agreed to last December.

In the event that the new administration approves Trump’s policy in this field, it is expected that Morocco will acquire the four drones.

In the same context, Reuters previously quoted three well-informed American sources as saying that the United States is negotiating the sale of at least four large and advanced MQ-9B drones to Morocco, and that consultations with Congress about the potential deal are expected to take place during the coming days.

The MQ-9B aircraft developed by General Atomics has a range of more than 11,000 km, and can scan large areas of land and sea.

The US National Security Council official said that the decision to continue adopting Trump’s policy “provides the U.S. government the flexibility to review UAS (unmanned aerial systems) export requests”, while continuing to exercise that “national discretion in ways consistent with our MTCR commitments, as well as “our strong commitment to U.S. national security, human rights, nonproliferation, and other foreign policy objectives”.

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Today, March 25th, the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) of the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DST) managed to dismantle a terrorist cell consisting of four militants, aged between 24 and 28, operating in the city of Oujda and linked to the so-called “Islamic State” organization.

The BCIJ stated, in a communiqué, that the operation comes within the framework of continuing efforts to neutralize the dangers of terrorist threats and dismantle extremist organizations that aim to disturb the public order and threaten the security and stability of the Kingdom.

The communiqué also highlighted that this terrorist cell has been dismantled and its imminent extremist plans aborted thanks to close coordination between members of the DST and the American intelligence services “which confirms once again the importance of international cooperation to combat terrorist threats, and demonstrates the efficacy of the distinguished partnerships that play a major role in ensuring the success of operations against terrorism and violent extremism”.

The BCIJ explained that the members of this terrorist cell were arrested in simultaneous security operations in four different residential neighborhoods in the city of Oujda, during which the members of the special forces affiliated with the DST had to fire sound bombs to neutralize the danger emanating from the main suspect. The second suspect was also arrested on the roofs of neighboring houses while trying to flee, in conditions that endanger him and others.

The searches carried out at the home of the main suspect enabled the special forces to seize an important sum of money in European currency, and four passports belonging to the members of the cell that the suspect was keeping in a safe place at home, as well as weapons, and other controlling information devices that will be subjected to professional inspection.

The same source added that the research and preliminary investigations carried out showed that the members of this terrorist cell declared their “loyalty” to the alleged emir of “ISIS”, and planned to join the camps of this terrorist organization in the Sahel region to carry out combat operations, before they were mobilized and assigned by one of the leaders of “ISIS” with the mission to implement terrorist plans inside the Kingdom, targeting vital national installations, security headquarters and military barracks.

The preliminary search procedures indicate that the arrested suspects carried out several reconnaissance operations to monitor and identify the sensitive targets and facilities to be targeted, as they were seeking to gain experience in the manufacture of explosives and improvised explosive devices, as well as their coordination with the aforementioned leader in ISIS to provide the necessary logistical resources and support to finance their sabotage projects.

The BCIJ stated that this new pre-emptive operation confirms the continued growth of terrorist threats that lie in wait for the security of the Kingdom and the safety of citizens, and the insistence of those who have been imbued with extremist ideology loyal to “ISIS” to implement terrorist projects aimed at disturbing public order.

On a final note, the communiqué indicated that the arrested persons were placed under pre-trial custody following the judicial research conducted by the BCIJ under the supervision of the Public Prosecution in charge of terrorism, in order to uncover all the contributors and participants involved in this terrorist cell, as well as monitoring its regional extensions and possible links to terrorist projects on the global level.

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The press attaché at the US Embassy in Morocco, Jerome Sherman, recently revealed that the US Agency for International Development will provide additional financial support to the Moroccan Ministry of Health to assist in the anti Covid-19 vaccination campaign.

According to Sherman, the agency will provide 2.5 million dollars, equivalent to 22.4 million dirhams, to its partners in Morocco in order to support the vaccination campaign, as part of the cooperation between the two countries regarding the provision of the American “Johnson & Johnson” vaccine.

US President Joe Biden announced that the United States intends to provide two billion dollars to the “Gavi COVAX” vaccine alliance, to support its efforts to help middle-income countries obtain vaccines.

In the coming weeks, Morocco is expected to receive its share of vaccines, which according to a list drawn up by the World Health Organization, is estimated at 1.88 million doses.

In the same context, the US government, through the agency, has invested more than 10.7 million dollars in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in Morocco.

Moreover, the agency’s partners, including the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the International Federation of the Red Cross, are working under the leadership of the US Ministry of Health to raise awareness about the Covid-19 pandemic, train health professionals, and provide hygiene materials and medical laboratory equipment, noting that the US Department of State and Department of Defense have worked to provide protective equipment for Moroccan national laboratories.

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On Thursday, the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) made a decision to impose duties on imports of Moroccan phosphates in the range of 19.97%, after pleadings made by Morocco to avoid this matter.

The imposition of these fees is due to a complaint filed by the American company “Mosaic” last year, in which it demanded American authorities to apply a fee of 70%, but to no avail.

In spite of reducing the fee rate, the decision remains incomprehensible to Morocco, as the OCP group presented all arguments regarding the lack of any basis for imposing these fees.

Details related to the decision of the USITC against imports of phosphate fertilizers are scheduled to be published in the next few weeks, which will allow determining reasons behind this decision and the basis on which it was taken.

For its part, the OCP Group confirmed that it will continue serving American customers as soon as it figures the best way to do so.

The “Mosaic” company has received criticism from a number of actors in the agricultural sector in the United States, including distributors and cooperatives, in addition to members of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

A few days ago, members of Congress sent a letter to Jason E. Kearns, Chair of the USITC, demanding the rejection of the request to impose duties on imports of Moroccan phosphate due to its impact on farmers.

The letter stated that American farmers rely heavily on phosphate fertilizers to produce a number of crops, including soybeans, corn, sugar, fruits and vegetables, warning that imposing duties on phosphate imports would result in an increase in prices, and thus increase the cost of production for farmers and result in negative effects on the agricultural sector.

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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.”

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US Department Spokesperson, Ned Price, affirmed today, Monday, February 22, that there is no change concerning the US recognition of the Moroccan Sahara within the new Biden’s Administration as he further added that the US supports UN efforts in promoting peace and stability in the area.

Ned Price further added during the press conference that “We will continue to support the UN process to implement a just and lasting solution to this long-standing dispute. We will also support the work of the mission of the UN for the referendum in Western Sahara to monitor the ceasefire and prevent violence in the area”

Concerning Morocco’s resuming relations with Israel, Ned Price, “We welcome the new step Morocco is taking to improve relations with Israel and that these relations will have long term benefits for both countries.”

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