Morocco’s Pivotal Role in Trump’s New Peace Architecture & the Western Sahara Equation
Washington D.C. – Morocco is rapidly emerging as a key strategic partner for the United States, solidifying its position as a pivotal player in a complex geopolitical landscape stretching from the Palestinian territories to the Western Sahara. The Kingdom’s deepening involvement with Donald Trump’s newly formed “Board of Peace” – an initiative designed to promote stability in conflict zones – signals a significant realignment of regional power dynamics and a willingness by Rabat to take on a more assertive international role.
On , at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita signed the founding charter of the Board of Peace alongside President Trump and a representative from Bahrain. The move, while attracting criticism from some quarters, underscores Morocco’s ambition to position itself as a central mediator in regional conflicts. The Board of Peace, formally endorsed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 adopted on , operates outside the direct authority of the UN, a point of contention for some member states including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Initially conceived as a mechanism for international administration of the Gaza Strip following the recent conflict, the Board’s mandate has broadened to encompass a wider mission: “to promote stability, restore reliable and legitimate governance, and guarantee lasting peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.” This expanded scope has raised concerns that the Board could potentially supplant the United Nations in its core peacekeeping functions.
Morocco’s commitment to the Board of Peace extends beyond symbolic participation. At the inaugural meeting in Washington on , Bourita announced that Morocco is prepared to deploy police officers to train Gazan police forces and contribute senior officers to the joint military command of the International Stabilization Force (ISF). Rabat has become the first nation to make a financial contribution to the Board, signaling a substantial investment in the initiative. According to diplomatic sources, Moroccan troop deployments could reach 20,000 soldiers, with an initial focus near Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
“His Majesty King Mohammed VI commends and supports your vision and leadership in promoting peace and prosperity in the world, and particularly in the Middle East. Thanks to your peace plan for Gaza, a ceasefire was achieved, a tragic war came to an end, and lives were saved.” — Nasser Bourita, Washington,
However, Morocco’s engagement with the Board of Peace is inextricably linked to the long-standing dispute over Western Sahara. Since , Morocco has administered the territory, proposing a plan for extended autonomy. The recent shift in US policy, including the recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in under the Abraham Accords, has created a dynamic of reciprocal support. The UN Security Council’s adoption of Resolution 2797 on , which “fully supports” Morocco’s autonomy plan, further solidified this trend.
This alignment has prompted renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve the Western Sahara issue. Meetings between Morocco, Algeria, the Polisario Front, and Mauritania, facilitated by the United States, took place in Madrid on , and subsequently in Washington on , with the aim of reaching a framework agreement by summer.
Morocco’s role extends beyond the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Western Sahara. Its chairmanship of the Al-Quds Committee (the Committee for Jerusalem) of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation since grants it significant moral and religious authority regarding Jerusalem, a key factor in any potential peace plan. Combined with its normalized relations with Israel, established through the Abraham Accords, Morocco is uniquely positioned as a bridge between the Arab world, and Israel.
Despite the potential benefits, Morocco’s involvement in the Board of Peace has drawn criticism. Concerns have been raised regarding the Board’s governance structure, which grants the president – Donald Trump – extensive veto power and control over the agenda. Some observers have characterized the Board as a “nascent club of autocrats” or a “private club dominated by Trump.” Questions also persist regarding the financial commitments made by Morocco, with reports suggesting a potential contribution exceeding $1 billion.
The Board of Peace currently includes approximately 47 participating states, encompassing a diverse range of nations including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, and Hungary. Notably absent are key Western democracies such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, as well as major global powers like China and Russia.
Morocco’s strategy, characterized by pragmatic diplomacy and a willingness to engage with diverse partners, reflects a broader ambition to establish itself as a key regional player. Whether the Board of Peace will ultimately succeed in achieving its ambitious goals remains to be seen. However, Morocco’s proactive engagement signals a clear intent to shape the evolving geopolitical landscape and secure its interests in a rapidly changing world.