Morocco’s Atlantic Initiative Aims to Stabilize Region and Strengthen Control Over Western Sahara

Morocco is advancing an ambitious project called the “Atlantic Initiative,” a $1.3-billion plan to establish a new trade corridor connecting landlocked Sahel nations Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to the Atlantic Ocean. Central to this effort is the development of a new port at El Argoub, known as the “Dakhla Atlantic” port, which is set to be completed by 2028. This port, located in the former Spanish colony of Western Sahara, is strategically significant as Morocco seeks to secure its influence over the territory, which it claims as its own but is largely controlled by the pro-independence Polisario Front.

The project aims to transform the economies of the Sahel countries and strengthen regional stability, especially as military coups and political upheaval have altered longstanding alliances. Recent leadership changes in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have seen these nations pivot toward Russia in an effort to regain sovereignty and control over their natural resources, moving away from their previous reliance on France.

King Mohammed VI announced the initiative in late 2023, emphasizing its potential to “substantially transform the economy of these countries” and the broader region. Morocco’s strategy also reinforces its grip on Western Sahara, especially after U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the territory in 2020 during the Trump administration.

However, the initiative faces significant hurdles. Algeria, Morocco’s regional rival, supports the Polisario Front and opposes Moroccan claims over Western Sahara. Diplomatic tensions have surged in recent months, especially after the downing of a Malian drone, highlighting the fragile geopolitical landscape.

The Sahel’s instability, compounded by the withdrawal of French troops who had previously fought jihadist groups in the region, has created a security vacuum. The area remains a sanctuary for jihadist militants, complicating efforts to establish peace and economic development. Morocco’s Atlantic Initiative thus represents both a strategic move to bolster regional influence and a response to the complex security challenges plaguing the Sahel.