France Recognizes Morocco’s Sovereignty Over Western Sahara, Macron Shifts Policy

France is now following in the footsteps of the United States, Israel, Germany and Spain, who have officially recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara. In a message addressed to King Mohammed VI commemorating the 25th anniversary of his enthronement, the French President assures the Moroccan sovereign of "the intangibility of the French position on this issue of national security for the Kingdom," the Royal Cabinet said in a statement. France "intends to act in coherence with this position at the national level and at the international level," Emmanuel Macron further assured.

"For France, autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework in which this issue must be resolved. Our support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007 is clear and constant," insists the French President. According to him, this plan "is now the only basis for reaching a just, lasting and negotiated political solution, in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council." Many countries support Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara. "Today, an increasingly broad international consensus is emerging," observes Emmanuel Macron. "France is playing its full part in all the relevant forums," notably through its country’s support for the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, he has committed. For the French Head of State, "it is time to move forward." He says he encourages "all parties to meet with a view to a political settlement, which is within reach."

Emmanuel Macron also congratulated Morocco on its efforts in the economic and social development of the Moroccan Sahara. "France will accompany Morocco in this approach for the benefit of the local populations," he promised. In April, the Quai d’Orsay had authorized French development financial institutions such as "Proparco", a subsidiary of the French Development Agency, or the public investment bank "Bpifrance" to finance projects in the Moroccan Sahara.