فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
In a significant diplomatic move, semi-confirmed sources have revealed the appointment of Lebanese-American businessman Massad Boulos as a senior advisor to President Donald Trump for Arab and African affairs, with a sensitive mission related to the Moroccan Sahara conflict.
According to circulating information, Boulos is preparing to visit both Algeria and Morocco with the aim of bridging the gap between the two countries in a bid to find a lasting solution to the decades-old dispute.
Massad Boulos, who was appointed as an advisor for Arab and Middle Eastern affairs in December 2024 and for African affairs in April 2025, is regarded as a prominent figure in political and economic circles. Trump described him as a “respected leader in the business world” who enjoys broad support in promoting peace in the region. His selection for this mission reflects the Trump administration’s efforts to strengthen its influence in North Africa, where the Moroccan Sahara issue remains one of the most complex regional conflicts.
According to semi-confirmed information, Boulos is scheduled to visit Algeria and Morocco in the coming days to hold direct talks with officials from both countries. The primary goal of this visit is to accelerate dialogue on the Moroccan Sahara issue, which remains a central point of contention between Rabat and Algiers.
Sources indicate that Boulos will work to bring the two sides closer together, focusing on practical solutions, especially regarding the situation of refugees in the Tindouf camps in Algeria.
The sources also confirmed that the United States, under Trump’s leadership, will maintain its recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara—a stance originally adopted by the U.S. administration in December 2020. In a statement attributed to Boulos, he indicated that the U.S. is seeking humanitarian solutions to the refugee crisis in Tindouf, stressing that Algeria bears significant responsibility for the continuation of the conflict. If accurate, this statement reflects a new U.S. approach that aims to address the root causes of the problem directly.
The information also suggests that the U.S. administration may be reconsidering the role of UN envoy Staffan de Mistura, who has led mediation efforts between Morocco and the Polisario Front since 2021. It is believed that Washington, through Boulos’s initiative, aims to move beyond the traditional UN-led process by engaging directly with the main stakeholders—especially Algeria, seen as the primary backer of the Polisario. If confirmed, this move could mark a dramatic shift in the dynamics of the conflict.
This initiative comes at a time of escalating tensions between Morocco and Algeria, particularly after France’s 2024 decision to support Morocco’s position, which angered Algeria. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Tindouf camps also remains a point of international concern, with tens of thousands of refugees living in harsh conditions. As international support for Morocco’s stance grows, Algeria is facing increasing pressure to rethink its strategy.
Source: Fes News Media
