In a notable development on the diplomatic stage, Algeria has announced its preemptive move ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s anticipated visit to Morocco, through a statement containing threats and hints aimed at stopping France from supporting Morocco’s autonomy initiative for Western Sahara. This Algerian maneuver clearly highlights ongoing efforts to undermine international support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its territory.
Algeria’s Attempt to Halt French Support: An Open Diplomatic Game
In a surprising move, Algeria issued a communiqué through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, containing sharp criticisms and threats toward France, in a clear attempt to influence the French position before Macron’s upcoming visit to Rabat. Algeria is concerned about France’s potential official endorsement of the autonomy initiative under Moroccan sovereignty, which could undermine its position in the fabricated Western Sahara conflict.
The Algerian statement described the anticipated French decision as “unexpected and inappropriate,” considering it an attempt to obstruct any peaceful resolution to the conflict. This statement indicates that Algeria is fully aware of the potential impact of France’s support and is making every effort to stop or at least mitigate the influence of this support.
French Support: What’s New?
Although France has supported the autonomy initiative since 2007, Algeria insists that the current support represents a significant change. The French newspaper “Le Monde” noted that the current tone in statements from French officials, such as Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné, is causing concern in Algeria. Séjourné had used strong terms like “existential” when describing the Western Sahara issue for Morocco, reflecting a shift in the French stance on the conflict.
This diplomatic shift reflects France’s growing recognition of the importance of acknowledging Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara as a prerequisite for establishing good and sustainable relations with the kingdom.
Algeria Threatens and Escalates the Situation
Under the pressure of the new French position, Algeria is seeking to escalate the situation through threats and warnings, stating that it will hold France fully responsible for any consequences resulting from this decision. This provocative approach by Algeria aims to create a diplomatic crisis that could affect relations between Paris and Rabat, reflecting the level of concern Algeria feels about potential changes in French policy.
Morocco: A Step Towards Strengthening Sovereignty
In this context, Morocco seems to be benefiting from these developments. The increased French support for the autonomy initiative strengthens Morocco’s position on the international stage and represents a diplomatic victory in the long-standing conflict. Recent French affirmations bolster Morocco’s right to Western Sahara and support national sovereignty, reflecting a positive shift in international policy.
In conclusion, Algeria’s escalation shows a desperate attempt to delay or halt French support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative. At the same time, this conflict highlights the extent to which Algeria has gone in its efforts to obstruct international recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, positioning Morocco in a stronger position both regionally and internationally.
