Sahara: will Morocco make France give in?

The French ambassador to Rabat, Christophe Lecourtier, said on Friday in Casablanca that it is impossible to build a solid future between the two countries without clarifying France’s position on the Sahara. For years, Morocco has been waiting for France to clarify its position on this sensitive issue and to join "the world powers that today support the autonomy plan, under Moroccan sovereignty, presented by Morocco as the only solution to this conflict," recalls the editorialist of Al Akhbar.

On the Sahara, France has not displayed a clear position, like the United States, Germany, Spain and Israel. Paris tried to preserve its friendship with Morocco and at the same time get closer to Algeria, which explains its ambiguous position. "The policy of below-the-belt blows advocated by the French government against the Kingdom is unworthy of those that an alleged strategic ally could adopt," comments the daily.

Today, France seems to be coming to its senses and understanding that the thawing of tensions with Morocco goes through the recognition of the Moroccanness of the Sahara. This is the key to a rapid resumption of cooperation between the two countries.