Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels, an endemic Moroccan plant species from the Sapotaceae family, holds significant ecological, pharmaceutical, and socioeconomic value in the arid mid-western region. However, it is facing rapid degradation. Therefore, understanding its genetic diversity is critical for preserving this national heritage. We sequenced, assembled, and annotated the mitochondrial genome of A. spinosa and compared it to other plants in the Ericales order. Mitochondrial-like sequences from the A. spinosa genome were assembled using GetOrganelle, resulting in a 707,441 base pair mitochondrial genome with 45.75 % GC content. Annotation identified 32 protein-coding genes, 16 transfer RNAs, and 2 ribosomal RNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis of 15 Ericales species affirms that A. spinosa is closely related to the Theaceae family, which is in accordance with results from the chloroplast genome.

Regulating national genome sovereignty presents a critical challenge, particularly when policy mechanisms designed to control population-level genomic data produce counterproductive outcomes. These policies primarily seek to prevent exploitation and protect privacy; however, they often generate unintended consequences in practice. Although such measures are intended to safeguard national interests and ensure the responsible use of genomic resources, they may also reduce opportunities for equitable participation in global genomic research. Restrictive governance frameworks can impede scientific exchange, delay biomedical discoveries, and limit the diversity of datasets required to advance precision medicine and public health. As genomic research increasingly depends on international collaboration and large-scale data sharing, balancing national sovereignty with scientific openness has become a central governance challenge. Stringent data restrictions can fragment scientific communities and ultimately restrict populations’ access to biomedical innovations they are intended to protect. We examine the structural origins of this tension through the lenses of ethics, data privacy, equity, and governance, highlighting the limitations of exclusionary, ownership-based approaches in genomic science. To resolve this paradox, we propose an Adaptive Genomic Sovereignty Stewardship Model (AGSSM), a flexible governance framework that emphasizes responsible stewardship, controlled access, reciprocity, and adaptive governance while safeguarding national strategic interests and facilitating open, equitable scientific collaboration. By balancing protection with responsible international cooperation, the AGSSM offers a practical pathway to strengthen public trust, support innovation, and ensure that the benefits of genomic research are shared more fairly.