Speaking in Moroccan parliament, French President Emmanuel Macron has sparked outrage by recognising Morocco’s claim over the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
In his address, Macron claimed French companies "will support the development" of Western Sahara, whose "present and future" belong under "Moroccan sovereignty". He further pledged investment in the region.
His statement follows a decisive shift in France’s foreign policy which had previously been ambiguous in addressing the demand for self-determination for West Sahara. In July, Macron pivoted France’s position to support Morocco’s claim of sovereignty over the region.
In a letter shared Tuesday by the Moroccan royal office, Macron wrote that “autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework within which this issue shall be resolved” and described support from Paris for the plan as “clear and unwavering.”
West Saraha was previously a Spanish colony and is largely controlled by Morocco however the Algerian-backed Polisario Front has campaigned for independence since prior to Spain’s withdrawal in 1975.
The United Nations views Western Sahara as a "non-self-governing territory" and has had a peacekeeping mission there since 1991 whose stated aim is to organise a referendum on the territory's future. However, Morocco’s government has rejected the possibility of a referendum.
In response to Marcon’s endorsement of Morocco’s plan in July, Algeria withdrew its ambassador to Paris and has yet to send a replacement. Algeria has also cut diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021.
Responding to the letter shared by Moroccan officials, the Algerian government responded claiming that “the French government is trampling international law,” and accused France of “setting itself apart from the patient and persistent efforts of the United Nations to decolonize Western Sahara.”
