PARIS: France has recognized sovereignty of Morrocco over the Western Sahara region saying it is the only way of resolving a long-standing dispute over the territory, President Emmanuel Macron in a letter on Tuesday said.
Morocco considers Western Sahara its own territory, while Algeria-backed Polisario Front, seeks an independent state there.
France, as the former colonial power in the region, has a crucial role to play in the dispute between Rabat and Algiers. Most of the Western allies of France already backed Morocco’s plan.
“For France, autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework within which this issue must be resolved,” according to the letter sent by Macron to Morocco’s King Mohammed VI.
“Our support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007 is clear and constant. For France, it now constitutes the only basis for achieving a just, lasting and negotiated political solution in line with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.”
Macron added Paris considers Western Sahara as part of Morocco’s present and future sovereignty, adding that France would act according to this position internationally and domestically.
The Royal Palace in a statement welcomed the announcement by France terming it as a major development in support of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.
Algeria, however, expressed great regret and strongly condemned France’s decision, adding there would be consequences, without giving details.
Algeria has recognized the Polisario’s self-proclaimed Sahrawi republic and supported a United Nations plan for a referendum.
The referendum never took place because of the disagreements over who should vote and how it should be conducted. Spain, the former colonial power in Western Sahara, in 2022 said it backs the autonomy plan of Morocco.
