Algeria criticizes France’s recognition of Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara

ALGIERS – Algerian Foreign Minister Mr. Ahmed Attaf has voiced strong opposition to France’s recent move to support Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara. At a press conference on July 31, 2024, Mr. Attaf criticized France’s decision, conveyed in a letter from French President Emmanuel Macron to Morocco’s King Mohammed VI on Throne Day, July 30, 2024.

In response to France’s decision, Algeria has withdrawn its ambassador from France and reduced its diplomatic representation. Minister Attaf highlighted that France had been laying the groundwork for this decision, as evidenced by President Macron’s statements during a meeting with Algerian President Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Bari, Italy, on June 13.

President Tebboune noted that the French position not only differs from previous stances but goes further by endorsing Morocco’s autonomy plan as the only solution to the Western Sahara conflict. This plan, Tebboune argued, undermines efforts by the United Nations and the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination.

Minister Attaf criticized France’s move, stating it ignores other potential solutions to the Western Sahara issue and contradicts UN Security Council resolutions. He warned that France’s recognition of Morocco’s autonomy plan would worsen the stagnation of the political process aimed at resolving the conflict, which has persisted for nearly two decades.

Attaf accused Morocco of using the autonomy plan to avoid a referendum on self-determination for the Sahrawi people and to maintain the status quo. He questioned how the plan, which has not been seriously considered for over 17 years, is now being presented as a solution.

The minister emphasized that the French decision, despite supporting Moroccan claims, does not alter the international legal status of Western Sahara. He reaffirmed that Western Sahara remains on the UN agenda as a decolonization issue, with ongoing efforts to organize a referendum and find a political solution guaranteeing the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.

Minister Attaf concluded that France’s move is legally, politically, and morally invalid, as it ignores the rights of the Sahrawi people. He stressed that Algeria will continue to support international legitimacy and the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.