Western Sahara: The Essence of The Moroccan Foreign Policy Identity

The article is devoted to the factor of identity in the Moroccan foreign policy. It considers the main theoretical approaches to the study of identity, which were then used to analyse Morocco's foreign policy strategy. As a result, it was possible to identify three key “spaces” of the state's foreign policy: the space of proximity, including the Maghreb countries; the space of “cultural belonging,” encompassing the Arab-Muslim world, African countries (primarily the Sahara-Sahel zone) and some European countries; and the global space. The historical development of the Kingdom's territorial organization has contributed to the formation of a particularly acute perception of sovereignty and national integrity among Moroccan society and political elites. This, in turn, has led to theperception of Morocco’s closest neighbor – Algeria as a key foreign policy challenge. Due to Morocco's geographical location and historical circumstances, the state's ruling elite has long pursued a pragmatic foreign policy, balancing between different international players and adapting to changing conditions. However, this pragmatism is not relevant when it comes to the Western Sahara conflict. The territory, whose status remains uncertain, plays a central role in the process of shaping Moroccan national identity. It serves as a tool for strengthening the legitimacy of the authorities and consolidating society. It the reason why Morocco has significantly intensified its foreign policy activities in this area in recent years, making it possible to achieve significant progress in the international recognition of its sovereignty over Western Sahara.

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