Western Sahara: Emmanuel Macron Backs Morocco's Plan, Algeria Recalls Its Ambassador to France

 

In a letter, Emmanuel Macron expressed his full support for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara.

This disputed territory is claimed by both Morocco and Algeria, the latter through the armed group Polisario Front.

In response, Algeria announced the "immediate withdrawal" of its ambassador to France.

For Emmanuel Macron, Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara is the "only basis for achieving a just, lasting, and negotiated political solution."

While not explicitly recognizing the "Moroccanness" of the Sahara, Macron stated in a letter to King Mohammed VI, marking the 25th anniversary of his enthronement, that he views "the present and future of Western Sahara as part of Moroccan sovereignty."

He affirmed, "For France, autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework in which this issue must be resolved. Our support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007 is clear and consistent."

Morocco currently controls 80% of Western Sahara

French diplomacy has officially aligned with Moroccan interests: "The present and future of Western Sahara are part of Moroccan sovereignty. I affirm to You the inviolability of the French position on this national security issue for Your Kingdom. France intends to act in accordance with this position at both the national and international levels."

This letter was made public Tuesday morning through a press release from the Moroccan Royal Cabinet. "This announcement by the French Republic, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, constitutes an important and significant development in support of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara," stated the Royal Cabinet, affirming that it was part of "the dynamic driven by King Mohammed VI."

Algeria recalled its ambassador

In response, the Algerian government announced on Tuesday the "immediate withdrawal" of its ambassador to France. "The Algerian diplomatic representation in France will now be managed by a chargé d'affaires," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, condemning a "step that no previous French government has felt necessary to take."

Algiers accused France of "flouting international legality," supporting the denial of the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination, and disregarding the United Nations' persistent efforts to decolonize Western Sahara. The French government's actions were described as "lighthearted" and "casual." "The French government has unequivocally and categorically endorsed the colonial status imposed on Western Sahara," Algiers added.

The Polisario Front also criticized France, stating that it "supports the violent and illegal occupation" of Western Sahara. "The French government is no longer hiding its stance: by officially declaring its support for 'the Moroccan autonomy plan,' France is endorsing the violent and illegal occupation of Western Sahara," said the head of Sahrawi diplomacy in a statement released Monday evening by the Sahrawi agency SPS.  

Ancient Conflict

Western Sahara, a Spanish colony until 1976, remains the only African territory with unresolved status. The United Nations considers it non-autonomous, and it is claimed by both Morocco and the Polisario Front, an armed group leading the unrecognized Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) supported by Algeria.

Since the 1991 ceasefire, Morocco has administered about 80% of Western Sahara, home to 600,000 people, emphasizing historical ties between Moroccan sultans and Sahrawi tribes. This West African region is known for its fishing resources and phosphate reserves.

The Polisario Front advocates for a self-determination referendum, which was proposed in 1991 but never held. In contrast, Morocco presented an autonomy plan in 2007. In recent years, numerous countries have supported resolving the conflict through this plan. In December 2020, under President Donald Trump, the United States recognized Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, a stance Israel adopted a year ago. In Europe, Madrid views the plan as the "most serious and credible basis." Consequently, Morocco is gradually gaining international support.