A severe blow for the Polisario after the approval by the USA of a financial and economic aid program in favour of Morocco. The separatist front which, starting from Algeria, struggles against Morocco for the independence of the Western Sahara region, was destabilized by Washington decision in relation with the American aid granted to “all the regions and territories managed by Morocco, including the Western Sahara”.
President Barack Obama has signed the text of this aid after its approval by the two Congress houses, within the frame of the law regarding the financial year 2012. This decision holds two important messages. The first one is that this aid represents a “tangible consolidation of the American aid to the process of reform in Morocco, including the Southern provinces”, stated Peter Pham, specialist of the Maghreb, Africa and the Sahel, whose opinion is frequently asked by the American Congress. The second one is that while including in this aid the region of the Western Sahara, Washington expresses clearly its support to the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara. A plan which has, many times, been qualified by Washington as being “serious, realistic and credible”.

The USA remains preoccupied by this regional conflict and continues working for a just, sustainable and realistic settlement of the question. Peter Pham pointed out that the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara has benefited from the support of  successive American administrations, as well as that of the Congress members, Republicans and Democrats together.