“The Moroccan Sahara”: Macron supports Rabat’s plan
A French step towards the Moroccan Sahara, crystallized by President Emmanuel Macron in a special message to the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI.
A statement from the Moroccan Royal Palace, released this Tuesday, stated that “in a message addressed to King Mohammed VI, French President Emmanuel Macron officially announced that he considers that the present and future of Moroccan Sahara fall within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.”
In the same message, which coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Throne Day in Morocco, Macron affirmed to King Mohammed VI “the constancy of the French position on this issue related to the national security of the kingdom” and that his country “intends to act in harmony with this position at both national and international levels.”
Macron also stated that “for France, autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework through which this issue must be resolved… Our support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007 is clear and unwavering.”
He added that this plan “now constitutes the only basis for achieving a political, just, sustainable, and negotiated solution, in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions.”
Regarding the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty, the French President sees that an “international consensus is forming today and is increasingly expanding,” stressing that “France is fully playing its role in all concerned bodies,” particularly by supporting the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his personal envoy.
In his message, Macron stated, “It is time to move forward. I therefore encourage all parties to come together for a political settlement that is within reach.”
-
France’s appointment of Stéphane Séjourné as Minister of Foreign Affairs is seen as an unfriendly gesture towards Morocco
-
Morocco ends diplomatic vacancy in France after crisis
Moreover, after commending Morocco’s efforts for economic and social development in the Moroccan Sahara, Macron expressed his commitment that “France will support Morocco in these steps for the benefit of local populations.”
According to local Moroccan reports, France’s announcement regarding the Moroccan Sahara constitutes an important and significant development in supporting Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and “falls within the dynamic led by King Mohammed VI, involving many countries across different regions of the world, in favor of Morocco’s territorial integrity and the autonomy plan as the exclusive framework for resolving this regional conflict.”
