US Ambassador to Morocco Duke Buchan has publicly criticized the Polisario Front, the separatist group seeking independence for Western Sahara. In a statement on May 19, 2026, Buchan condemned the group's actions and reiterated Washington's backing of Morocco's autonomy proposal for the disputed territory.
Buchan's remarks align with the US recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, a policy shift initiated under the Trump administration in 2020. The ambassador emphasized that the Polisario's activities undermine regional stability and hinder UN-led peace efforts.
The Polisario Front, which controls parts of Western Sahara, has been engaged in a decades-long conflict with Morocco. The US continues to support a political solution based on Morocco's autonomy plan, which it considers serious, credible, and realistic.
