In an interview Friday with the Saudi channel Al Arabiya, Massad Boulos, special advisor to President Donald Trump on African affairs, clarified that the U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara does not mean Washington is stepping away from its role as a mediator in the conflict. Boulos noted that «200,000 Sahrawi refugees living in Algeria are still waiting for a definitive solution»—a figure contested by Morocco. A few hours later, Trump's son-in-law appeared to walk back the initial comments. «Strong statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio unequivocally reaffirming U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara». he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, sharing a U.S. State Department communiqué from April 8. The document followed a meeting in Washington that same day between Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Senator Marco Rubio. On Saturday, during an interview with Medi1 TV, Boulos reiterated the Trump administration's support for «a lasting solution without delay, based on the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the only framework for negotiating a mutually acceptable outcome», echoing the language of the April 8 communiqué. The advisor to the 47th President of the United States stressed the strength of the Moroccan-American partnership in advancing peace and security under the leadership of Donald Trump and King Mohammed VI. He described Morocco as a «key partner» in the region. «Morocco is a brotherly country, an ally, and a strategic partner of the United States. We look forward to deepening these relations even further», he said. Boulos's initial remarks were welcomed by Polisario-affiliated circles. «The United States withdraws its recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara: 'It is subject to an agreement between the parties'», wrote one Sahrawi media outlet.
