Pompeo: The United States has begun the process of establishing a consulate in Western Sahara

The US State Department announced that it had begun the process of opening a consulate in Western Sahara, after the administration of President Donald Trump this month recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the region.

Washington abandoned a long-standing policy and agreed to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, which has been in conflict for decades between Morocco and the Polisario.

The Front is a separatist movement supported by Algeria and seeks to establish an independent state.

The recognition came within the framework of an agreement negotiated by the United States, according to which Morocco became the fourth Arab country to agree to normalize relations with Israel after the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan, during the last four months.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement: “We are opening, with immediate effect, a hypothetical presence site for Western Sahara, focused on supporting economic and social development, soon followed by a fully functional consulate. “.

He stated that “this virtual presence site will be managed by the United States embassy in Rabat.” He added that Washington will continue to support political negotiations to resolve the differences between Morocco and the Polisario within the framework of the Moroccan autonomy plan.