France Supports Moroccan Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara

France has officially recognized a plan for autonomy for the Western Sahara region under Moroccan sovereignty, according to a letter from President Emmanuel Macron. This decision aligns with most of France's Western allies and seeks to resolve the longstanding dispute between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front.

In a significant diplomatic move, France has officially endorsed Morocco's autonomy plan for the Western Sahara region. President Emmanuel Macron outlined this position in a letter to Morocco's King Mohammed VI, reinforcing France's support for Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory.

The Western Sahara conflict has persisted since 1975, with Morocco claiming the region and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front advocating for its independence. France, a former colonial power in the area, has had to delicately balance its relations with both Rabat and Algiers. However, Macron’s recent correspondence marks a decisive shift in French diplomatic policy.

According to Macron, the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007 offers the only viable framework for a just and lasting political resolution. This stance is now France’s official position both domestically and internationally, a move welcomed by the Moroccan Royal Palace as a substantial endorsement of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.