France Shifts Support to Morocco's Claim on Western Sahara

In a significant diplomatic shift, France has endorsed Morocco's autonomy plan for the disputed Western Sahara, marking a departure from its historical stance on the issue. President Emmanuel Macron, in a letter to King Mohammed VI, described the 2007 proposal for limited autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the "only basis" for resolving the conflict. This endorsement is seen as a setback for the pro-independence Polisario Front, which has long claimed to represent the Sahrawi people since the end of Spanish colonization. Macron's letter, made public on Tuesday, emphasizes France's intention to uphold this position both nationally and internationally. The endorsement aligns France with a growing list of countries, including the United States, Israel, and several African nations, that have shifted their support towards Morocco amid a stalled United Nations-mediated peace process. A high-ranking Moroccan official termed this development a "game-changer," highlighting France's influential role as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. However, this shift may exacerbate tensions in North Africa, particularly with Algeria, which supports the Polisario Front. Algeria has condemned France's decision, labeling it a colonial act and announcing the withdrawal of its ambassador from Paris. The Polisario Front accused France of undermining international law and facilitating Moroccan expansionism, reflecting the deepening rift in regional diplomacy. The Western Sahara conflict, which began in 1975 when Morocco annexed the territory, remains unresolved despite a UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991. Disagreements over voter eligibility have hindered the proposed referendum on the territory's future, leaving the status of Western Sahara in limbo.