In a significant development regarding the longstanding dispute over Western Sahara, President Emmanuel Macron has written a letter to King Mohammed VI of Morocco approving a plan for the territory’s autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty. This move by France is likely to have far-reaching implications for the region and could potentially serve as a turning point in the decades-long conflict.
The Western Sahara conflict dates back to the 1970s when the territory was colonized by Spain and subsequently annexed by Morocco and Mauritania. Since then, the indigenous Sahrawi people have been fighting for independence through the Polisario Front, a liberation movement recognized by the United Nations.
France’s support for the autonomy plan is seen as a significant shift in its position on the Western Sahara issue. While France has historically maintained a close relationship with Morocco, its explicit endorsement of the autonomy plan represents a departure from its previous stance of supporting a mutually acceptable solution through negotiations.
The autonomy plan proposed by Morocco is aimed at granting the territory self-governance while remaining under Moroccan sovereignty. This approach has been met with mixed reactions from the international community, with some countries expressing support for the plan as a potential resolution to the conflict, while others argue that it does not adequately address the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.
President Macron’s letter to King Mohammed VI is a clear indication of France’s support for the autonomy plan and its recognition of Morocco’s claims to Western Sahara. The move is likely to be welcomed by Moroccan authorities but may spark backlash from supporters of the Polisario Front and those advocating for the Sahrawi people’s right to independence.
Overall, France’s endorsement of the autonomy plan for Western Sahara marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict and underscores the complexity of finding a lasting solution that addresses the competing interests and aspirations of all parties involved.
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