With the pending opening of a consulate in Dakhla or Laayoune, Saudi Arabia has banned the publication of maps of Morocco without the Sahara and the use of «Western Sahara» in official correspondence. Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman issued this directive to university presidents, as confirmed by an official document from the Saudi royal cabinet. This move marks a renewed commitment to Saudi Arabia's longstanding support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara, following a period of tension in relations between the two countries after Rabat's refusal to participate in the Qatari blockade in 2017. Riyadh has consistently voiced its support on the international stage, most notably by refusing to host a Polisario delegation at the planned Arab-African summit in November 2023, much to Algeria's chagrin. Recall that the presentation of a complete map of Morocco, including the Sahara, by Saudi companies in Algiers during January 2023 drew the ire of an Algerian minister.
