Moroccan Jewish Leader in US Pushes for Eastern Sahara Claim, Says Western Sahara Issue Is Closed

Charles Dahan, a prominent Moroccan Jewish leader, advocates for reclaiming the Eastern Sahara from Algeria.

A prominent Moroccan Jewish leader in the US, Charles Dahan, vice-president of the World Moroccan Jewry (Federation of Moroccan Jews in the USA), has declared that the Western Sahara issue is "definitively closed" and is now advocating for a new UN dossier to reclaim Morocco’s so-called Eastern Sahara. In a statement that has sparked debate, Dahan claims this territory, currently part of Algeria, was historically Moroccan but annexed by France during colonial times, highlighting a new frontier in Morocco’s territorial ambitions.

Dahan’s Bold Claim on Eastern Sahara

Speaking to the Moroccan outlet Assabah on April 27, 2025, Dahan stated, “In Washington, we say the Moroccan Western Sahara dossier is closed, and we are now preparing to open the Moroccan Eastern Sahara dossier, which was annexed by France to Algerian territory.” He specifically pointed to regions like Tindouf, Béchar, and Colomb-Béchar, asserting they were part of Morocco’s pre-colonial territory. Dahan argues that this issue has been “underestimated” by American policymakers and revealed plans to rally the US Congress to support Morocco’s position in a new UN framework aimed at recovering these lands.

Dahan, a respected figure in the Moroccan diaspora who was knighted by King Mohammed VI in 2000, emphasized that this move is not about escalation but about restoring historical justice. He cited historical maps and treaties to support his claim, though no official Moroccan government endorsement of this position has been confirmed.

Western Sahara vs. Eastern Sahara: A Tale of Two Disputes

The Western Sahara conflict has been a long-standing issue, with Morocco claiming sovereignty over the territory against the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the Sahrawi people. Morocco controls about 70% of the region, and its position gained significant international backing, including US recognition in 2020, as reported by Al Jazeera. The UN still lists Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory, awaiting a referendum on self-determination.

In contrast, the “Eastern Sahara” is not a recognized international dispute. The regions Dahan mentioned are part of Algeria since its independence in 1962, and their borders are internationally accepted. While Morocco has focused on consolidating its claim over Western Sahara, Dahan’s proposal introduces a new, uncharted territorial narrative that could strain relations with Algeria, a key supporter of the Polisario Front.

Strategic Push in the US

Dahan’s advocacy reflects the growing influence of the Moroccan diaspora in shaping international perceptions of Morocco’s territorial claims. Based in Washington, he aims to leverage the success of the Western Sahara recognition to push this new agenda. “The importance of the Eastern Sahara issue for Moroccans is largely underestimated by the American political class,” he told Assabah, signaling an ambitious strategy to gain traction among US lawmakers and at the UN.

However, without official backing from the Moroccan government, this remains a diaspora-driven initiative. Morocco has invested heavily in developing the Western Sahara, as noted by DW, and opening a new territorial front could divert resources and complicate regional dynamics.

Potential Regional Implications

If Morocco were to officially pursue this claim, it could significantly escalate tensions with Algeria, already strained over the Western Sahara conflict. Algeria hosts the Polisario’s government-in-exile in Tindouf, one of the regions Dahan claims. Such a move might also face skepticism from the international community, given the established borders of Algeria and the lack of a formal Moroccan claim to these territories in recent decades.

The timing of Dahan’s statement coincides with other regional developments, such as Morocco’s expanding legal Beldiya cannabis cultivation in provinces like Al Hoceïma, as reported by Atalayar, signaling Morocco’s focus on economic growth alongside territorial assertions.

Why This Matters

Dahan’s call to address the Eastern Sahara highlights the enduring complexity of post-colonial borders in North Africa and the role of diaspora communities in shaping geopolitical narratives. While the Western Sahara issue has seen progress for Morocco, a new claim on Algerian territory could destabilize the region, especially given the fragile Morocco-Algeria relationship. This development underscores the need for careful diplomacy to balance historical grievances with modern geopolitical realities.

Key Takeaways

• Charles Dahan claims the Western Sahara issue is closed and advocates for a new UN dossier on the Eastern Sahara, annexed by France to Algeria.
• The regions of Tindouf, Béchar, and Colomb-Béchar are cited as historically Moroccan but are currently part of Algeria.
• Dahan aims to rally US Congress support, leveraging Morocco’s success in the Western Sahara dispute.
• The proposal lacks official Moroccan government backing, making it a diaspora-driven initiative for now.

Stay informed: Follow updates on Morocco-Algeria relations and territorial disputes in North Africa.

Sources: Le360, Al Jazeera, DW, Atalayar.