
Duke Buchan III : Sahara talks must follow Moroccan autonomy proposal
In his address to the senators, Duke Buchan III emphasized that the current U.S. President has reiterated his support for Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara, endorsing the Moroccan plan for Western Sahara as «the only path to resolving this conflict».
«President Trump is urging for the parties to engage in discussions without delay using the Moroccan autonomy proposal as the only framework».
Duke Buchan III
"President Trump urges the parties to negotiate without delay a solution for the Sahara with the Moroccan autonomy plan as the only framework."
The US ambassador to Morocco appointed by Donald Trump, during his hearing in the Senate. #Sahara #Maroc #Polisario #Algerie #Etats_Unis pic.twitter.com/T9VvQAWyez
— Yabiladi.com (@yabiladi_fr) July 29, 2025
These remarks are in line with the statement released on April 8, following discussions in Washington between Nasser Bourita and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio.
On March 7, five weeks after taking office as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump announced the nomination of Duke Buchan III to serve as the U.S. representative in Rabat. «Duke will play a key role as we strengthen peace, freedom, and prosperity for both our countries», Trump stated on his social media platform.
Duke Buchan III previously served as the U.S. ambassador to Spain and Andorra from 2017 to 2021. A native of North Carolina, born in 1963, he brings a wealth of experience in investment and finance.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Morocco World
7 hours ago
- Morocco World
New US Tariffs Trigger Diplomatic Fallout, Economic Anxiety
Rabat – US President Donald Trump has enacted a new wave of tariffs on imports from over 90 countries. This triggered global unease, forcing allies and rivals alike into urgent negotiations. The move, announced just before the final deadline for trade deals, shows Trump's renewed effort to assert American control over what he calls an imbalanced global system. On his Truth Social platform, the US president claimed the tariffs were already bringing 'billions of dollars' into the US. This latest offensive includes a 50% tariff on Indian goods, due to take effect on August 27 unless New Delhi halts its oil trade with Russia. India has dismissed the demand as 'unfair' and showed no intention of yielding to Washington's pressure. Trump has also threatened 100% tariffs on foreign semiconductors. The warning came just as Apple revealed plans to invest $100 billion in the US, after months of quiet pressure from the White House to relocate more production. Several of the harshest tariffs have fallen on Southeast Asia economies. Laos and Myanmar face rates of 40%, despite limited direct trade with the US. Some analysts believe Trump's strategy targets nations that maintain close trade links with China. The shift has not spared American allies. Taiwan now faces a 20% tariff, prompting President Lai Ching-te to call the rate 'temporary' as talks continue. The rate is lower than what some feared, though concerns remain about the message it sends. Switzerland, which failed to reach an agreement with Washington, must now contend with a steep 39% tariff. While the tariffs shook diplomats and trade ministries, markets in Asia reacted with unusual calm. Shares in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and mainland China showed modest gains. Indian and Australian markets, however, slipped. Several major economies managed to soften the blow through last-minute deals. The UK, Japan, and South Korea secured lower rates, avoiding the worst of Trump's proposed tariffs from earlier this year. The EU reached a framework agreement, accepting a 15% levy on EU exports. While the rate is far from negligible, it represents a compromise that avoids a broader trade conflict. Canada saw its tariff rate rise from 25% to 35% after Trump accused the country of failing to act on cross-border drug smuggling. Ottawa pushed back, pointing to new crackdowns on fentanyl networks. Still, most Canadian goods remain shielded under the existing USMCA agreement. Tariffs on Mexican goods have been paused for 90 days while talks continue. India's inclusion in this tariff package has raised eyebrows beyond trade circles. Trump appears to be sending a broader message to countries that continue buying oil from Russia. The impact on India could be huge. As the world's third-largest oil importer, it relies on Russian energy for price stability. With elections looming and fuel prices already sensitive, the government now faces a tightrope. While some countries have scrambled to adjust, others remain locked in tense negotiations to reach 'reciprocal tariffs.' The dust is far from settled. Washington has redrawn the map of global trade, and countries must decide whether to fall in line or face the cost. Tags: economyTrumpUSus tariffsworld trade


Morocco World
21 hours ago
- Morocco World
South Africa Objects to Former President Zuma's Morocco Visit Over Flag Display
Rabat — South Africa's government expressed today strong objections to former President Jacob Zuma's recent visit to Morocco. The government mainly criticized the use of national symbols during Zuma's meeting with Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) issued a statement condemning the circumstances surrounding Zuma's mid-July visit to Rabat. The DIRCO 'has registered its strong objection and concern regarding circumstances around the recent visit of an eminent South African leader, former South African President Mr Jacob Zuma, who is Leader of Umkhonto We Sizwe Party, visited the Kingdom of Morocco and held a meeting in Rabat on 15 July 2025, with His Excellency Mr Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates,' the ministry's statement said. Flag display sparks protest While acknowledging Morocco's sovereign right to invite and host individuals or groups, South Africa's government strongly protested the display of the South African flag during Zuma's meeting with Morocco's foreign minister. 'The use of the South African National Flag in a meeting with a member of a political party in opposition, which is a non-state actor, constitutes an abuse of existing protocol and decorum, and undermines official bilateral relations between the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdom of Morocco,' the statement read. DIRCO expressed outrage over the fact that Rabat displayed South African national symbols, which they claimed naturally imply official state approval and elevate public perception of the event to the level of state-to-state engagement. However, according to the statement, the participants did not represent official South African positions or state commitments, making such characterization contrary to established diplomatic practices. 'This portrayal cannot be recognised as an official bilateral meeting, and the implications drawn from it are firmly rejected,' the ministry noted, urging Morocco's government to avoid such actions in the future. What's truly behind this outrage? South Africa's government's discontent with the visit is most probably linked to Zuma's newly found position over Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara and his endorsement of the country's Autonomy Plan. Following his July 15 meeting with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat, Zuma announced that his MK party supports Morocco's autonomy proposal for Western Sahara. The former president said his party believes the Moroccan proposal 'will allow meaningful local governance by the populations of the Sahara region, while guaranteeing Morocco its sovereignty over the Sahara.' Zuma added that his party 'recognizes the historical and legal context that strengthens Morocco's claim to the Sahara' and believes Morocco's efforts to recover its full territorial integrity align with the MK party's commitment to preserving African states' sovereignty and unity. Describing the autonomy plan as offering 'a balanced path that promotes stability, peace, and development in the region,' Zuma called on the international community to support Morocco's offer as the most viable path to ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity for the Sahara. Tags: Jacob ZumaMoroccoSouth AfricaWestern sahara


Maroc
a day ago
- Maroc
Morocco Places Strategic Focus on Cooperation with Landlocked African Nations
Morocco, thanks to its geographical position and ongoing commitment, has made cooperation with landlocked countries, particularly in Africa, a strategic priority of its cooperation policy, Minister of Transport and Logistics Abdessamad Kayouh said on Tuesday in Awaza, Turkmenistan. 'In a spirit of solidarity and shared development, Morocco continues, under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, to provide concrete support to landlocked African countries through strengthening South-South and triangular development projects, effectively contributing to improving the livelihood of beneficiaries and strengthening their development capacities,' Kayouh emphasized during the plenary session of delegations participating in the 3rd United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held until August 8. This commitment has been reflected through several initiatives, notably the Royal Initiative aimed at granting Atlantic Ocean access to Sahel countries, he noted, recalling that this initiative eyes a new framework for cooperation and joint development, by sharing Moroccan experience in infrastructure. This initiative is part of the Royal vision for a united, stable, and prosperous Africa and constitutes a strategic lever for the economic transformation of the Sahel countries by strengthening their strategic independence and promoting their great potential, he said, adding that it is also a great opportunity to integrate these countries into global value chains, thus opening up new prospects for growth and human, social, and economic development for Africa. This Moroccan approach to cooperation also tasks shape in several pioneering initiatives, such as the revitalization of the three Climate Commissions launched in 2016 at the African Action Summit, the Climate Change Competence Center, the Adaptation of African Agriculture to Climate Change (AAA) initiative, the initiative for Sustainability, Stability and Security in Africa (SSS), and the African Youth Climate Hub, he said. The minister further expressed Morocco's welcoming of the adoption of the new Awaza Action Plan for the decade 2024-2034, which reflects a collective commitment to strengthening landlocked developing countries' international cooperation in connectivity, energy transition, and economic flexibility. This conference stands as a crucial step in the development process of landlocked countries, ten years after the adoption of the Vienna Program of Action, according to the minister, with a view to assess progress made, commit to engage in strong partnerships and renew international support for the specific needs of these countries amidst a global context marred by multiple crises and growing tensions, he concluded. Morocco is represented at this event by a delegation led by minister Kayouh, including Morocco's Permanent Representative to the UN Omar Hilale, the Kingdom's Ambassador to the Republics of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan Mohamed Rachid Maaninou, as well as several diplomats and officials from the Ministry of Transport and Logistics. (MAP: 05 August 2025)