Morocco Builds Deepwater Ports, Media Forgets Deepwater Geopolitics
Morocco's minister announced two new deepwater ports by 2028, in Nador and the disputed Western Sahara territory of Dakhla. This move, framed as economic progress, conveniently obscures the deeper play: solidifying Morocco's control over Western Sahara and enhancing its strategic position in the Atlantic. After all, securing that Dakhla port would surely impress those who saw fit to normalize
relations with Morocco *just after* the US recognized its sovereignty over Western Sahara. (Recall the Abraham Accords in late 2020, conveniently linking Moroccan recognition of Israel with US recognition of that disputed territory?) It appears some 'economic development' comes hand-in-hand with certain geopolitical arrangements. One might wonder if the architects of these ports are more focused
on shipping containers or strategic influence on the African continent, particularly given the ongoing scramble for resources and partners. How many ports does it take to silence inconvenient historical claims?