Pompeo announces the start of the establishment of a US consulate in Western Sahara

On Thursday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the start of establishing a consulate for his country in the Western Sahara region, shortly after Washington recognized Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara.

This comes as a culmination of the United States ’recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara region, at a time when Rabat agreed to normalize relations with Israel.

Pompeo said in a tweet to him on Twitter, "I am pleased to announce the beginning of the construction of the US consulate in Western Sahara," as he put it.

He also noted the aspiration of the United States to promote economic and social development with the participation of the region's residents.

Pleased to announce the beginning of the process to establish a US consulate in Western Sahara, and the inauguration of a virtual presence post effective immediately!

We look forward to promoting economic and social development, and to engage the people of this region.

- Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) December 24, 2020

Morocco considers the opening of foreign diplomatic representations in Western Sahara as a confirmation of its sovereignty over it, while the Polisario Front and Algeria, which supports it, have previously condemned this.

In early December, US President Donald Trump signed a declaration recognizing Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara region, while also announcing that Rabat had pledged to establish diplomatic relations with Israel.

On December 13, the United States adopted a new map of Morocco, including the Sahara region, at an event held at the Washington embassy in Rabat.

Rabat asserts its right to the Sahara region and proposes expanded autonomy under its sovereignty, while the Polisario Front is calling for a referendum to determine the region's fate, a proposal supported by Algeria, which is hosting refugees from the disputed region.

Since 1975, a dispute has been going on between Morocco and the Polisario Front over the territory of the Sahara, after the Spanish occupier evicted it.

The conflict turned into an armed confrontation that lasted until 1991, and ceased with the signing of a ceasefire agreement, which designated Guerguerat a demilitarized zone.

At the end of last November, the Polisario announced that it was no longer committed to the ceasefire agreement, following a move by the Moroccan army that ended the closure of the Guerguerat crossing by loyalists of the Front, since last October 21.