France Adopts Morocco’s Full Map, Including Western Sahara, in Policy Shift

The French recognition of the Moroccanness of the Sahara reaffirmed. Recently, French public television published a map of Morocco including the Sahara. This publication is part of France’s support for the autonomy plan proposed by the kingdom. In a message addressed to King Mohammed VI commemorating the 25th anniversary of his enthronement, French President Emmanuel Macron said he considers "that the present and future of the Western Sahara fall within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty". He assured the Moroccan sovereign of "the intangibility of the French position on this issue of national security for the Kingdom". France "intends to act in coherence with this position at the national level and internationally," he added.

Support highly appreciated by King Mohammed VI. Responding to the letter from the French president, he welcomed France’s position confirming the Moroccanness of the Sahara. He also invited Emmanuel Macron to come to Morocco for a state visit. According to the Moroccan ambassador to Paris, Samira Sitail, this visit should take place in September or early October.