31.07.2024, Paris.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s recognition of Morocco’s rights to the Western Sahara raised tensions between Paris and Algeria, France Info wrote on July 30.
The Western Sahara territory has been the subject of tensions for nearly 50 years. The region, bordered by Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the Atlantic Ocean, was officially named “Western Sahara” by the UN in 1975. About 80% of its territory was controlled by Morocco. 20% was under the control of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguiet el-Hamra and Rio de Oro (Polisario Front). In this part of Western Sahara, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) was self-proclaimed.
On July 30, French President Macron said that France recognized the Moroccans as the only force capable of resolving the conflict over the Polisario Front’s striving for Western Sahara’s independence from both Morocco and Mauritania.
“For France, autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework within which this issue must be resolved. Our support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007 is clear and consistent,” Macron wrote in a letter to Moroccan King Mohammed VI on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his accession to the throne.
This statement by the French leader increased tensions with Algeria, which, for its part, supported the full autonomy of Western Sahara. Emmanuel Macron’s statement thus provoked the anger of Algeria, which on July 30 announced the immediate withdrawal of its ambassador to France.
From Algeria’s point of view, France was “flouting international legitimacy by denying the rights of the people in the Western Sahara to self-determination.” For its part, France said it had taken note of Algeria’s decision. At the same time, Paris reiterated its desire to continue to deepen bilateral relations with Algeria, the diplomatic source said.
The Atlantic coast of Western Sahara is rich in fish. Pastoralism, fishing and phosphate mining account for more than half of the territory’s exports. However, Western Sahara is home to up to 25% of the world’s phosphate reserves.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
