Two Congresswomen Join Co-Sponsors of Bill Seeking to Designate Polisario as Terrorist Group

Rabat – Two congresswomen have joined the list of signatories supporting a US bill seeking to designate the Polisario Front as a terrorist group.

US Representative Elise Stafanik has joined the list on March 25, while Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar joined the same list on Monday, April 6.

The number of co-sponsors supporting the bill reached 11 people in addition to Congressman Joe Wilson, who introduced the bill in June last year.

The bill asks the US Administration to impose sanctions on Polisario, recalling its malicious activities undermining the region’s stability.

The bill also recalls Polisario’s documented history and operational ties with Iran.

On March 11, Senators Tom Cotton, Ted Cruz, and Rick Scott, introduced the new bill seeking to designate the separatist group as a terrorist organization.

“The Iranian regime is trying to turn the Polisario Front into the Houthis of West Africa and use them to undermine the national security of the United States and our allies,” Cruz said. 

He accused the separatist group of working with Iranian proxies, receiving drones from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and engaging in weapon trafficking s across the region.

In 2018, Morocco severed diplomatic ties with Iran, citing documented evidence that shows collusion among Polisario members and Iran’s proxy Hezbollah.

Rabat emphasized that it possesses solid evidence of Iran backing the Polisario Front via Algeria.

The two bills reflect the US representatives’ positions, aligning with the US stance in support of Morocco’s regional stability.

Morocco has been a steadfast ally for the US, with both countries committed to working together in several sectors, including counterterrorism.

Many reports point to the challenges posed by  Polisario’s presence, which hamper security projects through its illegal activities – including terrorism.

Polisario has carried out a series of terrorist attacks in southern Morocco and continues to threaten the region. 

Beyond security cooperation, the US supports Morocco’s position on the Western Sahara dispute, viewing the Autonomy Plan as the only feasible and credible political solution.

 

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