French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday officially recognized Moroccan sovereignty over its Sahara, stressing that he “considers that the present and future of Western Sahara lie within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty,” the Royal Office said in a statement on Tuesday.
In a message to King Mohammed VI on the occasion of the 25th Throne Day anniversary, the French President reaffirmed “the unwavering position of France on this issue of national security for the Kingdom”, underlining that his country will act “in alignment with this position both nationally and internationally.”
“For France, autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework within which this issue shall be resolved. Our support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007 is clear and unwavering,” Macron said.
He added that the autonomy plan “constitutes now the only basis to achieve a just, lasting, and negotiated political solution, in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions.”
“Today, an increasingly broad international consensus is emerging,” notes the French President regarding the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty, emphasizing that “France fully plays its part in all relevant fora,” particularly through its support for the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy.
“It is time to move forward. I therefore encourage all parties to come together for a political settlement, which is within reach,” President Macron states in his message.
Commending Morocco’s efforts to promote the economic and social development of the Moroccan Sahara, the French President committed to ensuring that “France will support Morocco in this endeavor for the benefit of the local populations.”
France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces and its support for the autonomy initiative marks a significant step in bolstering Morocco’s position on the international stage. This recognition echoes a series of international recognitions supporting Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara, notably by the United States of America in December 2020.