France Endorses Moroccan Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara

France has officially recognized Morocco's plan for autonomy of Western Sahara as the solution to the long-standing dispute over the territory. President Emmanuel Macron stated in a letter to Morocco's King that the plan aligns with the UN Security Council's resolutions. Algeria has strongly opposed this move.

France has formally endorsed Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara as the sole resolution to the protracted dispute over the territory, President Emmanuel Macron announced in a letter on Tuesday. The conflict, which began in 1975, has Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front at odds, with the latter seeking independence.

As the former colonial power in the region, France has navigated a delicate path between Rabat and Algiers. Most Western allies of France already support Morocco's autonomy plan. 'For France, autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework within which this issue must be resolved,' Macron wrote to Morocco's King Mohammed VI.

'Our support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007 is clear and consistent,' Macron stated, emphasizing that it remains the primary basis for a just, lasting, and negotiated political solution, in line with UN Security Council resolutions. France views Western Sahara as part of Morocco's sovereignty and will act accordingly both domestically and internationally.

The Royal Palace hailed the announcement as a significant backing of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara. Conversely, Algeria expressed strong regret and denounced France's decision, warning of unspecified repercussions.

Algeria supports the Polisario's claim for an independent Sahrawi republic and the UN's plan for a referendum, which has yet to occur due to disputes over voter eligibility and procedure. Recent UN resolutions have focused on a realistic solution based on compromise, excluding the independence option.

Spain, former colonial ruler of Western Sahara, in 2022 backed Morocco's plan, joined by the U.S., Israel, and several Arab monarchies. Morocco interprets the opening of consulates in the region by 28 mostly African and Arab nations as concrete support for its sovereignty.

The Polisario Front withdrew from the UN-brokered truce in 2020, although the conflict remains low-intensity.