In a message to French President Emmanuel Macron, King Mohammed VI said that France is contributing to the strengthening of the international momentum that would put an end to a “conflict inherited from another era.”
Released on Wednesday, the letter came in response to France announcing on Tuesday backing Morocco’s sovereignty over its Southern Territories.
The King’s message highlighted the significance of France’s endorsement of the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, a proposal that has gained considerable international traction as a realistic and pragmatic solution to the conflict. The proposal aims to grant significant self-governance to the Saharan provinces while maintaining Moroccan sovereignty.
This diplomatic endorsement from a UN Security Council permanent member and a major European power is seen as a pivotal move toward resolving the longstanding dispute in the region.
As King Mohammed VI emphasized, France’s position “contributes to strengthening the international momentum that many countries are already supporting and thus putting an end to a conflict inherited from another era.”
France’s recognition is the latest in a series of diplomatic wins Morocco scored under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
Morocco’s efforts to assert its sovereignty over the Sahara reached a historical milestone in 2020 when the White House proclaimed that the United States recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the territories.
Two years later, another Western ally joined the list of countries endorsing Morocco’s sovereignty. In a declaration, Spain announced that it considers the Moroccan autonomy initiative presented in 2007, as the “most serious,” “realistic,” and “credible basis” for resolving the dispute.
Since ascending the throne in 1999, King Mohammed VI has made the Sahara dossier the center of the country’s foreign policy.
Months after Spain’s recognition, the monarch stressed the importance of the Sahara issue to Morocco’s foreign policy. “I would like to send a clear message to the world: the Sahara issue is the prism through which Morocco views its international environment,” he declared.
Historical Context
The issue of the Moroccan Sahara dates back several decades. During the colonial period, Morocco was divided between 1895 and 1912 by colonial powers into several zones administered by France and Spain, while Tangier was declared an international zone governed by twelve powers.
In 1956, Morocco achieved independence from France and regained Tangier, subsequently launching negotiations with Spain.
These efforts resulted in Spain’s withdrawal from the northern part of the Kingdom in 1956.
Further negotiations led to Spain’s withdrawal from southern enclaves and territories: Tarfaya in 1958, Sidi Ifni in 1969, and eventually the regions of Saqia al Hamra and Oued Eddahab, known as Moroccan Sahara, in 1975 through the Madrid Agreements.
These agreements recognized the historical ties between Morocco and these territories, as acknowledged by the International Court of Justice, affirming Morocco’s sovereignty over them prior to Spanish rule.
Cold War
During the Cold War, Algeria sought to prevent international recognition of Morocco’s reclamation of its territories.
Using its diplomatic, military, and financial influence, Algeria supported the creation of the Polisario Front, a separatist group aimed at challenging Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, thanks to the backing of Libya under Muammar Gaddafi.
Founded in 1976, shortly before Spain’s withdrawal from Western Sahara, the Polisario Front has claimed to represent the Sahrawi people.
However, it is primarily composed of members from a single tribe among the twelve dominant tribes in Morocco’s Saharan provinces.
Unlike Morocco, which historically asserted its claims to the region through international avenues such as the UN decolonization committee in 1963, the Polisario Front has been recognized by some as an armed group and, in certain contexts, a terrorist organization, rather than a legitimate liberation movement.
UN Involvement
The United Nations has played a pivotal role in attempting to mediate the conflict. In 1981, Morocco called for a referendum to resolve the issue, but disagreements over voter eligibility led to protracted negotiations with no resolution.
By 2000, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan acknowledged the impracticality of a settlement plan centered around a referendum, urging the parties to seek a political solution instead.
Since then, the Security Council has supported efforts to reach a mutually acceptable political compromise. This support paved the way for Morocco’s Autonomy Initiative, proposed in 2007, which aimed to offer a substantive and innovative basis for negotiations.
The initiative emphasizes self-governance for the Saharan provinces under Moroccan sovereignty, aligning with international law principles.
France’s Role
Despite historically close ties with Morocco, France had long maintained an ambiguous position regarding the Moroccan Sahara issue.
Experts attribute this stance to concerns about its relationship with Algeria, which has consistently supported the Polisario Front.
The Polisario Front’s activities and Algeria’s support were significant factors in France’s cautious approach, as it sought to balance diplomatic relations with both countries.
However, recent months have seen a shift in French foreign policy. In February, the newly appointed French Ambassador to Morocco, Christophe Lecourtier, emphasized the need for France to clarify its stance on the Sahara issue.
Speaking at an event in Casablanca, Lecourtier remarked, “How can we claim to have such ambitions without considering the major concerns of the kingdom on the matter?” This marked a turning point, indicating France’s intention to prioritize Morocco’s territorial integrity in its diplomatic endeavors.