In a strongly worded speech before the Moroccan parliament, French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed France’s strong and solid position regarding Western Sahara.
The French president reiterated that the present and future of the region falls within the framework of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces, with these remarks related to the Sahara met with enthusiastic applause from diplomats, lawmakers – reflecting the importance of France’s new position and its influence in the international community.
Macron further emphasized the importance of Morocco’s 2007 Autonomy Plan, describing it as a “the only basis for achieving a just, lasting, and negotiated political solution.
“This is the position that France will implement to support Morocco in international forums,” Macron said, stressing that operators and businesses from France will continue supporting the development of Moroccan southern provinces through investments and sustainable initiatives.
“Our operators and businesses will support the development of these territories through investments, sustainable initiatives, and solidarity for the benefit of local populations,” he said.
Macron also responded to the criticism and Morocco-bashing campaigns from Polisario supporters, including Algeria’s regime, which recalled its ambassador to Paris as soon as France announced its decision to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara.
Macron’s answer was simple. France’s position is “not hostile to anyone,” he argued, adding that the newfound French position on the Sahara is rooted in history and respectful of realities.
This new French position comes a few years after the diplomatic crisis the two countries faced due to what observers deemed as Paris’s ambiguous position on the Sahara dispute.
While relations between Paris and Morocco have been through rough times, Macron acknowledged, the two countries have remained “loyal allies in troubled times.”
“France has never failed Morocco on all the existential issues it has faced,” he said, adding that the new chapter in Morocco-France relations carries the possibility of writing a new page for the future and development of the African continent.
Macron’s reassurance comes as the UN Security Council is set to vote for a new resolution on Western Sahara later this week.
He further emphasized how the two countries are determined to deepen their bilateral cooperation at all levels, highlighting that they are part of an “ambitious Francophonie” that presents an additional opportunity to develop.
“Today there are more than 320 million [Fench] speakers, with projections of 500 million by 2050,” he said, but acknowledged the challenges including the emergence of advanced technologies.
“That is why, if we want to meet all the challenges I have just mentioned – competitiveness, energy integration, digitalization, and research capacity, particularly in crucial areas like artificial intelligence – we must drastically invest in training,” he said.