Trump affirms support for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara
The long-frozen conflict pits Morocco, which considers the territory as its own, against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks an independent state there.
Trump at the end of his first term in office recognised the Moroccan claims to Western Sahara, which has phosphate reserves and rich fishing grounds, as part of a deal under which Morocco agreed to normalise its relations with Israel.
His secretary of state, Marco Rubio, made clear in April that support for Morocco on the issue remained US policy, but these were Trump's first quoted remarks on the dispute during his second term.
"I also reiterate that the United States recognises Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and supports Morocco's serious, credible and realistic autonomy proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute," MAP quoted Trump as saying in a message to Morocco's King Mohammed VI.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
South Africa's Response to Trump's Hostility: A Call for Unity
United in resilience, South Africans are being urged to promote a 'Buy Local' campaign, showcasing their strength and pride in the face of adversity. Image: IOL / Ron AI South Africa is a proud and sovereign nation, forged in the crucible of struggle and defined by its unyielding resilience. Since Donald Trump's return to the White House on January 20, his administration has undertaken a series of hostile actions that target not only our country, but the dignity of our people. The humiliation of our President during a White House visit, televised to a global audience, was a calculated affront. More alarmingly, the US has now withdrawn vital support from South Africa's life-saving antiretroviral programme—an act as callous as it is politically motivated. Most recently, Trump imposed a punitive 30% tariff on all South African goods entering the United States, thinly veiled under the guise of trade policy. Yet the world can see clearly: these actions are retaliatory, driven by South Africa's moral and legal stance against the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Our government's bold leadership at the International Court of Justice has struck a global chord—and incurred Trump's vindictive wrath. But if our history under apartheid has taught us anything, it is this: South Africans are unbreakable. In the face of adversity, we rise. It is now imperative that ordinary South Africans respond—not with anger, but with purpose. Let us launch a nationwide 'Buy Local' campaign, urging citizens to purchase only South African-made products. In doing so, we bolster our economy, safeguard jobs, and build a more self-reliant nation. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Just as millions of Canadians are now boycotting US-made goods in protest, so too must we. Let us collectively reject American-made vehicles, food, electronics, and other products. Avoid buying tickets for any American artists coming to perform in this country! Let every citizen become an advocate—on social media, in communities, at schools and workplaces. This must be a people's movement, initiated from the ground up, with or without formal government backing. Let us seize this moment to assert our dignity, rally the continent, and inspire similar movements across Africa. Together, we can turn Donald Trump's hostility into an opportunity—to rebuild, to reimagine, and to reaffirm our commitment to putting South Africa first. Rozario Brown Cape Town
TimesLIVE
4 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Rwanda reached deal with US to take in up to 250 migrants: government
The US and Rwanda have agreed for the African country to accept up to 250 migrants deported from the US, the spokesperson for the Rwandan government and an official told Reuters, as President Donald Trump's administration takes a hardline approach toward immigration. The agreement, first reported by Reuters, was signed by US and Rwandan officials in Kigali in June, said the Rwandan official, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding that Washington had already sent an initial list of 10 people to be vetted. "Rwanda has agreed with the United States to accept up to 250 migrants, in part because nearly every Rwandan family has experienced the hardships of displacement, and our societal values are founded on reintegration and rehabilitation," said the spokesperson for the Rwandan government, Yolande Makolo. "Under the agreement, Rwanda has the ability to approve each individual proposed for resettlement. Those approved will be provided with workforce training, health care and accommodation support to jumpstart their lives in Rwanda, giving them the opportunity to contribute to one of the fastest-growing economies in the world over the last decade." The White House and state department had no immediate comment. The department of homeland security referred questions to the state department. President Donald Trump aims to deport millions of immigrants in the US illegally and his administration has sought to ramp up removals to third countries, including sending convicted criminals to South Sudan and Eswatini.
TimesLIVE
5 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Ivory Coast vows to find new cocoa buyers if Trump imposes tariffs
Ivory Coast will look for new markets for its cocoa, away from the US, if the administration of President Donald Trump goes through with its threat to impose 15% tariffs, two officials said. The West African nation would have alternatives to consider in a fiercely competitive sector, one of the officials, from the agriculture ministry, added. "The United States is doing the opposite of what it should be doing," the official said. The world's biggest cocoa producer currently exports up to 300,000 metric tons of cocoa beans to the US each year, according to its Coffee and Cocoa Council. That amounted to $368m (R6.62bn) worth of beans in 2023, or about 10% of Ivory Coast's cocoa exports, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, making the US its fourth largest market behind the Netherlands, Malaysia and Belgium. Under revised terms announced last week by Trump and set to take effect on August 7, goods from Ivory Coast will be subject to a 15% tariff. Its cocoa and other goods are currently duty free under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), US legislation enacted in 2000.
