The United States is moving toward launching a series of major investments in Morocco’s Sahara region, in parallel with an active diplomatic push led by Washington to resolve the longstanding Sahara conflict based on the autonomy plan proposed by Rabat—widely viewed as the most realistic solution for a “win-win” outcome. This also coincides with the imminent arrival in Rabat of the new U.S. Ambassador, Richard Duke Buchan III, a figure with a strong background in business and investment.
According to a report by Africa Intelligence, a Paris-based publication specializing in African affairs, the Trump administration is preparing to give the green light for direct U.S. investments in the Sahara region, marking a concrete and advanced step in support of Washington’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the territory since December 2020.
The report adds that this anticipated move follows a period of relative freeze in U.S. investments in the Sahara under former President Joe Biden. The shift signals a major change in American policy, as part of a broader strategy to help end the regional conflict by promoting Morocco’s autonomy initiative as a “credible and realistic” solution.
Recent field developments seem to confirm this change, such as the visit of Trump’s special adviser, Masaad Boulos, to Algeria just days ago, where he met with top Algerian officials, including President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf.
Boulos’ visit comes after earlier statements more than a month ago, in which he expressed his intention to travel to Algeria to “bring Moroccan and Algerian views closer” in resolving the conflict—signaling Washington’s desire to reach a settlement rooted in the autonomy plan, which the U.S. has endorsed as the foundation for a political solution since 2020.
Observers see Algeria’s reception of Trump’s envoy as a possible first—albeit unannounced—step toward indirect negotiations that the U.S. could lead to encourage Algeria to adopt the autonomy proposal, especially amid rapidly evolving regional and global dynamics.
These developments come as Rabat awaits the arrival of Richard Duke Buchan III, recently confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the new ambassador to Morocco. Buchan brings extensive experience in finance and investment to the role.
In his recent testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Buchan stated that he would “support efforts to reach a political solution to the Sahara conflict based on the autonomy proposal,” affirming that the U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara remains in place and that he will work to promote American investments in Morocco.
Buchan’s background further reinforces this direction. Far from being a traditional diplomat, he is a prominent businessman and investor with broad expertise in agriculture, technology, and media. He previously chaired the board of Intermountain Media LLC and has invested in key sectors across Latin America and Europe. He is also known for being a major Republican donor during Trump’s presidential campaign.
Following Trump’s nomination of Buchan as ambassador to Morocco, several international media outlets described the move as economically driven rather than purely political. Given Washington’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, many expect Buchan to spearhead a wave of U.S. investments in the region.
To pre-empt political backlash or legal challenges—either domestically or internationally—the Trump administration is widely believed to be pushing for a swift resolution to the Sahara dispute, under the umbrella of the autonomy proposal, which Rabat considers the ceiling of all acceptable solutions.
