In a recent interview with the “Strategic Council on Foreign Relations,” the Iranian Agency IRNA Iranian expert Morteza Makki criticized and dissected France’s shift in position on the Moroccan Sahara saying that the country’s new stance may “pro-long” the crisis rather than resolve it.
Makki highlighted that France’s support marks a significant shift in regional politics. The change coincides with the 25th anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s reign, during which French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed Paris’s backing of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for the Sahara.
“France tries to continue to play an active role in the political processes of the North African region. For this reason, the position of this country towards Western Sahara can probably have a great effect on the political processes and negotiations between regional and extra-regional actors,” Makki told the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations.
The expert recalled that Morocco, a former French protectorate, has long advocated for its autonomy in the Sahara.
Algeria, also a former French colony, seeks a referendum for the Sahara region’s future, which has led to decades of debate between the two nations, he noted.
In contrast, Mauritania once claimed part of the Moroccan Sahara until it reached an agreement with the Polisario Front in 1979, which sought as “an independence movement” in the Sahara region.
Makki also added that Sahara was a Spanish colony until 1975. Following Spain’s departure, the Polisario Front began its campaign against Spanish presence, leading to ongoing disputes over sovereignty.
France’s new position, aligning with Morocco’s sovereignty, reflects broader geopolitical maneuvering, involving significant actors like the US, France, and various European countries.
The expert told the Iranian-based council that France’s support for Moroccan sovereignty may “complicate the resolution” of the Sahara issue.
Makki asserts that this stance could be “a tool for France to leverage concessions” from Morocco and Algeria, increasing tensions. He also noted the US and European support for Morocco, contrasting it with the majority of African nations and the African Union, which back Algeria’s call for a referendum.
The Moroccan Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, said on August 14 that nearly 42% of African nations now have consulates in the Sahara, signaling support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan.
This follows Morocco’s severed ties with Iran since May 2018. Recent discussions at the UN’s Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24) echoed Iran’s call for accelerated self-determination for the Sahara.
In its “war” against Morocco, Iran has strong ties with the separatist militia. Christine Kensche, Middle East correspondent for German magazine “Die Welt” proved this in November through an investigation of Polisario’s relations with the Shiite republic.
Die Welte has had access to recordings and transcripts of telephone conversations between Polisario representatives and an agent posing as a Hezbollah contact from Ivory Coast about the war between Israel and Gaza.
Kensche alleged that Iran is behind the Polisario’s attacks against Morocco, as it is behind its training, arming, and financing via its embassy in Algiers, and such attacks became worse after the ties resumed between Morocco and Israel, according to the article.
The Hezbollah representative and the Polisario envoy allegedly discussed future combined assaults against Israel with Hamas, Hezbollah, Algeria, and Iran.
Mustafa Muhammad Lemine Al-Kitab, Polisario’s Middle East envoy, is said to have offered to help the Polisario Front, but that it had resources too inadequate to strike the Israeli embassy in Morocco.
In other discussions, he allegedly urged even greater assistance for Hezbollah and Iran.
Tehran had also provided surface-to-air missiles and drones to Polisario members, through Hezbollah and Algeria, according to the article.