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· US recognizes the sovereignty of Morocco over Western Sahara: AU considers it an Independent State
· Morocco is the fourth state to normalize relations with Israel since August after UAE, Baharin and Sudan
In a significant development, Donald Trump announced on twitter the US had recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara region. The announcement, it is reported, was part of a deal, which makes Morocco the latest Arab league country to agree to normalize relations with Israel.
Morocco is the fourth state to normalize relations with Israel since August after UAE, Bahrain and Sudan. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu celebrated the announcement at a function held at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem. Morocco becomes the sixth Arab League member to normalise ties with Israel. Egypt and Jordan had already recognized Israel.
Morocco has always maintained the Western Sahara region. However, African Union recognizes it as an independent country. Western Sahara is a former Spanish colony. It came under Moroccan rule in 1975 leading to territorial dispute between Morocco and its indigenous Saharawi people, which is led by the pro-independence Algerian backed Polisario Front.