Western Sahara and energy at the heart of Blinken's visit to Rabat and Algiers

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, in Rabat, Morocco, March 29, 2022. REUTERS - POOL

Text by: Houda Ibrahim Follow

2 mins

After an unprecedented meeting on Monday in the Negev in Israel, with Arab allies from Tel Aviv and Washington, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on a two-day visit to Morocco before moving to Algiers on Wednesday March 30.

According to several observers, this tour is part of the efforts that the United States is intensifying to obtain from its allies their support in the face of Moscow following the invasion of Ukraine. 

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In Morocco, the head of American diplomacy wishes to consolidate “ 

” of Washington.

A partnership put to the test following the war in Ukraine: if Algeria is Russia's ally, Morocco and the Gulf countries, which are Washington's allies, are reluctant to condemn Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

During the vote in the UN General Assembly, Morocco preferred to adopt neutrality twice.

Rabat claims this position so as not to alienate Russia, a member of the UN Security Council on the

. 

This question is the priority of Moroccan diplomacy, and Washington made a point of reaffirming, before Blinken's trip, that its position vis-à-vis the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco to resolve the Western Sahara conflict is unchanged.

She reaffirmed in a press release that this plan is “ 

”.

She also promised to support the efforts of the UN special envoy, Stephan de Mistura.

Blinken therefore tries to make the allied countries change their minds and rally them to the American position. 

►

His mission is difficult.

He will use his influence in Algeria for the reopening of 

to Algeria, his under-secretary had failed in early March.

Washington is also trying to get gas for its European allies to replace that from Russia. 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at his residence in Rabat, Morocco, March 29, 2022. REUTERS - POOL

Blinken's mission is even more difficult with the Gulf allies.

Relations with these countries are going through a crisis, and it is in Morocco and not in Abu Dhabi that the head of American diplomacy meets the Emirati Crown Prince Mohammed ben Zayed.

At the same time, Riyad refused to meet him, announcing that his visit is not scheduled on the agenda.

Saudi Arabia also refused to increase its oil production as Washington wanted. 

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• Morocco

• United States

• Algeria

• Western Sahara

• United Arab Emirates