Arriving in Rabat on December 2, the new United States Ambassador to Morocco, Duke Buchan III, officially began his mandate during a protocol ceremony at his residence. Washington. This seasoned diplomat intends to place his mission under the banner of strengthening the strategic U.S.–Morocco partnership, which is nearly 250 years old.
On Tuesday, December 2, Duke Buchan III formally assumed his post in Rabat as the new Ambassador of the United States of America to Morocco. As required by protocol traditions, his official installation as Washington’s representative to the Kingdom began with the raising of the American flag at his residence in the Moroccan capital, in the presence of U.S. Marines.
This moment was immortalized by the U.S. Embassy, which published photos of the ceremony on its social media platforms, accompanied by the following post:
The newly arrived U.S. Ambassador to Morocco Duke Buchan III marked his first moments in country by raising the American flag over his residence with the help of the U.S. Marines. He is looking forward to deepening the strong ties between our nations and celebrating 250 years of… pic.twitter.com/R8ID2Q6dR8
— U.S. Embassy Morocco (@USEmbMorocco) December 2, 2025
On the same day, the new ambassador met with embassy staff, as shown in the images shared online.
The newly arrived U.S. Ambassador to Morocco Duke Buchan III marked his first moments in country by raising the American flag over his residence with the help of the U.S. Marines. He is looking forward to deepening the strong ties between our nations and celebrating 250 years of… pic.twitter.com/R8ID2Q6dR8
— U.S. Embassy Morocco (@USEmbMorocco) December 2, 2025
This official assumption of duties comes after the U.S. Senate confirmed Duke Buchan III’s new appointment in October 2025, following the nomination by President Donald Trump. During his hearing before the Foreign Relations Committee, Duke Buchan III described Morocco as a “pillar of stability” and emphasized the strength of a bilateral relationship that is among the oldest in U.S. diplomatic history. Already familiar with international affairs, he previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra between 2017 and 2021. Before the senators, he also praised the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, highlighting his willingness to put his experience at the service of consolidating the Moroccan–American partnership.
Presenting himself as a keen connoisseur of the Kingdom, which he has been visiting for over forty years, the diplomat stressed Morocco’s strategic importance for U.S. national security. He notably cited the joint exercise African Lion, AFRICOM’s largest operation, as an illustration of exemplary security cooperation between the two countries. He also stated his intention to strengthen coordination in facing common challenges while expanding economic opportunities through his expertise in international finance, benefiting both U.S. technologies and Morocco’s ambitions in strategic sectors.
The diplomat also highlighted the deep human and historical roots of the relationship between Rabat and Washington, recalling that the treaty of peace and friendship between the two nations dates back to 1786. Before the senators, he aligned himself with the official U.S. position recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara, describing the autonomy initiative as “serious, credible, and realistic.” He pledged to work toward concrete progress on this issue. He also announced his intention to support the expansion of the Abraham Accords, in partnership with Morocco.
Coming from the business world, former National Finance Chair of the Republican National Committee and founder of Hunter Global Investors, Duke Buchan III has already visited more than fifty countries. A native of North Carolina, he grew up on his family’s farms, which he later managed successfully. A graduate of the University of North Carolina and Harvard Business School, he speaks fluent Spanish and is proficient in French. His arrival in Rabat opens a new chapter in a centuries-old relationship that both countries aim to elevate to new strategic horizons.
