Fresh documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice in March 2026 have unveiled a striking lobbying contract between Morocco’s embassy in Washington and the powerful American law and lobbying firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. The deal, valued at $65,000 per month, positions Morocco as an active “foreign client” under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), with the firm tasked to intensify political and media pressure campaigns in the United States.
The contract, effective since March 13, 2026, outlines a one‑year renewable engagement aimed at shaping congressional attitudes and influencing U.S. policy. Central to this effort is the attempt to link the Polisario Front to terrorism and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, thereby undermining its legitimacy as a liberation movement and reframing it as a threat to U.S. interests.
Direct Pressure on Capitol Hill
The lobbying activities have already targeted the office of Senator Ted Cruz, a prominent supporter of a draft bill known as the “Polisario Bill.” This legislation seeks to classify the Polisario Front—the recognized representative of the Sahrawi people—as a terrorist organization. Records show:
- March 13, 2026: Request for the bill’s text via email.
- March 16, 2026: Attempts to schedule discussions with Cruz’s staff.
- March 17, 2026: Follow‑up communications and requests for direct contacts inside the senator’s office.
Such moves reveal a coordinated strategy to push the bill forward, aligning Morocco’s agenda with U.S. legislative processes.
A Geopolitical Play
The scope of the contract extends beyond mere lobbying. It includes public relations campaigns, media narratives, and economic initiatives designed to reinforce Morocco’s image and sway U.S. institutions. By framing Polisario as a terrorist proxy allegedly tied to Iran, Morocco seeks to:
- Strip Polisario of international legitimacy.
- Pressure Algeria, its main supporter, by associating it indirectly with terrorism.
- Secure broader American backing by invoking Iran’s influence as a common adversary.
This lobbying effort underscores Morocco’s determination to escalate its diplomatic offensive in Washington. By investing heavily in shaping narratives, Rabat aims not only to weaken Polisario’s standing but also to complicate Algeria’s international relations. The Iran angle, though not explicitly stated in the documents, is a calculated narrative designed to resonate with U.S. strategic concerns and rally bipartisan support against Polisario.
Source: Translated from the Arabic version of Algeria Gate
