The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Duke Buchan III as the new Ambassador of the United States to Morocco. His nomination was first announced last March by President Donald Trump, who emphasized that the new ambassador «will play a pivotal role as we strengthen peace, freedom, and prosperity for both of our countries». During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on July 29, Ambassador Buchan described Morocco as a «pillar of stability», highlighting its strategic location, which makes it «essential to the national security of the United States». He pledged to further strengthen the «longstanding relationship» between Washington and Rabat, particularly in the field of security, noting that Morocco is «one of the United States' oldest partners». «Our Treaty of Peace and Friendship dates back to 1786», he said. «For nearly 240 years, our bilateral relations have made Americans and Moroccans safer, stronger, and more prosperous». The ambassador also described Morocco as «a model economic partner», stressing that the two countries enjoy solid trade relations. He expressed his intention to promote American investment opportunities «across the Kingdom, where the U.S. can bring advanced technologies» to support Morocco's ambitions in technology, transportation, agriculture, and energy. Buchan also reiterated the U.S. position, restated on April 8 by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, recognizing Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara and supporting «the Kingdom's serious, credible, and realistic Autonomy Plan as the only basis for a just and lasting solution» to the regional dispute. He added that Secretary Rubio had reaffirmed President Trump's call for all parties to «engage without delay in negotiations, using Morocco's Autonomy Initiative as the sole framework to reach a mutually acceptable solution». In this regard, Ambassador Buchan pledged to «help advance progress toward that goal». His confirmation comes shortly after the U.S. government announced it would encourage American investment in Morocco's southern provinces. Born in North Carolina in 1963, Duke Buchan III previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra (2017–2021) and has had a long career in the investment and finance sectors.
