French President Macron reaffirms from Rabat backing to Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara
French President Emmanuel Macron, who is on a three-day state visit to Morocco at the invitation of King Mohammed VI, has reaffirmed Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara.
In a speech he delivered this Tuesday before members of the two chambers of the Moroccan Parliament in Rabat, President Macron addressed French-Moroccan historic relations, matters of common interest, and the Sahara issue.
In this connection, the French head of state solemnly said “and I reaffirm it here before you. For France, the present and future of this territory lie within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.”
These remarks that were warmly applauded by the Moroccan Parliamentarians echo the French position expressed in a letter President Macron addressed last July to King Mohammed VI on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the King’s enthronement. In this letter, the French President emphasized: “I consider that the present and future of Western Sahara lie within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty […] For France, autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework within which this issue shall be resolved.
The French President also reaffirmed his commitment that France will further support Morocco’s efforts to promote the region’s economic and social development, for the benefit of the local populations.
“And I say this here with great emphasis: our operators and businesses will support the development of these territories (of Moroccan Sahara) through investments, sustainable initiatives, and solidarity for the benefit of local populations,” he said before the Moroccan Parliament.
President Macron also reiterated France’s clear and unwavering support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007. “For France, this constitutes now the only basis to achieve a just, lasting, and negotiated political solution, in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions,” he added.
“Rooted in history, respectful of realities, and promising for the future, this position is one that France will implement to support Morocco in international forums,” he vowed.
This significant change in France’s position is set by President Macron against a regional backdrop that must give priority to cooperation and consultation. In this context, he explained that “this position is not hostile to anyone. It rather opens a new page between us, and with all those who wish to act within a framework of regional cooperation, in the Mediterranean, with Morocco’s neighboring countries, and with the European Union.”
By recognizing the Kingdom’s immemorial rights, France, through this historic speech delivered by its President before the Parliament, confirms the deep ties that bind the two States and the two peoples.
“Throughout the past decades, Morocco and France have remained faithful allies in troubled times, and France has never failed Morocco on any of the existential issues it has faced”, the French President emphasized.
At a broader regional level, President Macron stressed the need to achieve a stability respectful of the peoples in the Sahel region and pleaded for the development of projects benefitting youth, arguing that such projects “will not only promote stability but also put an end to the trafficking routes and the misery that, from the Gulf of Guinea to Libya, are causing suffering for both the African and European continents.”
France “has been unjustly accused of all ills by some, while for a decade, it has prevented the collapse of several states in the face of terrorism and territorial caliphates,” lamented the French president, assuring his desire to “build a new partnership strategy” in the region “with humility.”
In his speech, President Emmanuel Macron called for “natural and fluid cooperation” with Morocco against “illegal immigration” and for “even more results” in this area. He also noted that the “enhanced exceptional partnership” concluded on Monday with King Mohammed VI should specifically address “illegal immigration and the need for natural and fluid consular cooperation.” “We need even more results,” he added, mentioning the “fight against trafficking of all kinds,” particularly “drug trafficking,” which “requires very close and even faster judicial cooperation.”
Furthermore, the French president briefly mentioned the “shared passion” of both countries for football and expressed his hope that the 2030 World Cup in Morocco would be “a success.” “I wish for Morocco’s hosting of the World Cup in 2030 to be the success we are eager to participate in,” affirmed the French head of state, adding that “your players inspire our championships,” referring to player Achraf Hakimi, who plays for PSG, and Moroccan international Amine Harit, who plays for Olympique de Marseille (OM).
For the record, the 2030 World Cup, which will celebrate its centenary, will take place in Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. The first matches of the competition will be held in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
