Larcher’s Visit to the Moroccan Sahara Reflects France’s Interest in Strengthening Cooperation with Rabat

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French Senate President Gérard Larcher visited the Moroccan Sahara on Tuesday as part of an official visit to Morocco that began on Sunday. This marks the second visit by a high-ranking French official, following Minister of Culture Rachida Dati’s visit, highlighting Paris’s commitment to recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara. The visit also comes amid escalating tensions between Algeria and France following the French authorities’ recognition of the Moroccan Sahara and the autonomy initiative as a solution to the artificial conflict.

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This visit signals France’s deeper engagement in supporting the autonomy plan as the only viable solution to the conflict, amid growing French interest in the Atlantic Initiative as a means to foster economic and social development in the Sahel-Saharan region. This initiative aims to facilitate access to the Atlantic Ocean, improve infrastructure, encourage investment, and enhance regional cooperation.

Larcher reaffirmed his country’s support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, praising the Atlantic Initiative as a key factor in regional stability. Several Western media outlets reported that the French increasingly recognize the initiative’s importance in strengthening economic ties, attracting investments, and transforming the region into a promising economic hub.

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Following his meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita on Monday, Larcher stated: “The relationship between Morocco and Paris, which has gone through many challenges, is now back on track thanks to the determination of both countries’ leaders, as well as the role of parliamentary diplomacy, which can open new channels of rapprochement.”

He added: “This is a new chapter in the book we are writing together since President Macron’s visit to the Kingdom. The relationship between our two countries is based on a shared historical legacy and a deep friendship dating back to the time of Mohammed V and Charles de Gaulle. While there have been difficulties in the past, we are now back on the right track thanks to the leaders’ commitment.”

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Larcher emphasized that the discussions with Bourita also focused on the southern Atlantic front, which represents a crucial symbol of stability for the African continent and beyond.

He recalled President Macron’s stance during his last visit to Rabat, stating: “As the French President said in his historic visit, the Sahara’s present and future will remain under Moroccan sovereignty.” He added: “This position has been in place since 2007 through support for the autonomy plan, and it is the stance of the Republic, not just a particular government.”

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Moroccan officials welcomed Larcher’s visit, highlighting its significance in strengthening bilateral ties. Mohamed Ould Rachid, President of the House of Councillors, said: “The visit reflects the depth of bilateral relations between Rabat and Paris and embodies the shared will to enhance parliamentary cooperation and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations.”

During his reception of the French delegation in Laayoune, Ould Rachid expressed his deep appreciation for this visit, noting its strong symbolic significance. He stated: “This visit is not just an occasion to celebrate our shared achievements but also a historic and exceptional moment that marks a turning point in the history of bilateral relations.”

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The consecutive visits of French officials to the Moroccan Sahara demonstrate President Macron’s commitment to implementing new policies aimed at deepening ties with Rabat. Meanwhile, several reports indicate an increasing trend of French investments in the region.

During his historic visit to Rabat, Macron urged French companies to “invest in the Moroccan Sahara” and signed numerous promising economic agreements. French companies signed approximately 40 contracts and investment agreements with Moroccan partners during the visit, many of which target projects in the southern regions.

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Months ago, the French government gave the green light for its companies to invest in the southern provinces of the Moroccan Sahara. French firms Bpifrance and Proparco received approval from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to expand their investments in the region.

Larcher’s visit comes amid worsening diplomatic tensions between Paris and Algiers. This follows Algeria’s repeated rejection—ten times—of France’s request to repatriate an Algerian national residing illegally in France. The individual had served a prison sentence for glorifying terrorism and recently carried out a jihadist attack in Mulhouse, eastern France.

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Larcher’s visit is expected to provoke Algeria’s ire, just as Rachida Dati’s visit did. The Algerian Foreign Ministry had previously issued a strongly worded statement in response to Dati’s trip, expressing anger over Morocco’s diplomatic successes.

At the time, Algeria described Dati’s visit as “a highly serious matter that deserves condemnation on multiple levels, as it reflects blatant disregard for international legitimacy by a permanent member of the UN Security Council.” Larcher’s visit is seen as a strong and decisive response from Paris, reaffirming its pro-Moroccan Sahara stance.

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Algeria continues to push a narrative accusing France of violating international resolutions regarding the artificial Sahara dispute. However, France has aligned itself with the growing international recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, citing historical facts confirming that the territory—formerly under Spanish occupation—has always been Moroccan land.

Meanwhile, Algeria and the Polisario Front continue to evade international demands for an official and transparent census of the Sahrawi population. Observers question how an entity lacking any legitimate governance or sovereignty can call for secession and aspire to establish a state for a few thousand Sahrawis, most of whom support a solution that keeps them under Moroccan sovereignty.

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