- 17:25Morocco's University Enrollment Soars to 1.3 Million as Medical Education Debate Intensifies
- 17:15Diplomatic Efforts Amid Escalating Tensions: Blinken's Visit to Israel and Lebanon
- 17:00Morocco Secures Strategic Gas Supply Through ONHYM-ONEE Pipeline Agreement
- 16:45Harris and Cheney Unite: A Bipartisan Appeal in the Final Stretch of the Presidential Race
- 16:10Morocco's Sacred Recovery: Over 1,150 Earthquake-Damaged Mosques to Welcome Worshippers for Ramadan
- 16:00Tragic End: Liam Payne's Untimely Death Linked to Drug Use
- 15:20Morocco Advocates for Digital Equity at Global AI Conference, Highlighting Africa's Tech Gap
- 15:00King Charles and Queen Camilla Conclude Australian Tour with Enthusiastic Public Engagements
- 14:40Pizza with a Dangerous Twist: Düsseldorf Restaurant's Secret Menu Item Leads to Drug Bust
Follow us on Facebook
France's Support for Morocco's Sahara Plan Challenges Polisario and Algeria
In a significant diplomatic development, France has endorsed Morocco's Autonomy Plan for the Sahara, aligning with a growing international consensus that includes the United States, Spain, Israel, and numerous Arab and African nations.
Two experts assert that this move undermines separatist ambitions. Jamal Ait Laadam, a North African affairs specialist at China’s Jilin University, argues in *Modern Diplomacy* that France's stance highlights global skepticism toward separatist movements lacking democratic and developmental outcomes.
Pressure on Algeria
France's backing of Morocco’s plan as a "rational alternative" maintains Moroccan territorial integrity while promoting local governance. This shift presents a challenge for Algeria, which has historically supported the Polisario Front. Ait Laadam notes that Algeria has become a crucial player in the conflict, diverting attention from its domestic issues.
He emphasizes the need for Algeria to engage in negotiations, with Morocco and the UN urging all parties to return to the table. The US and France advocate for continuous diplomacy and reconciliation.
Owen Kirby, from the International Republican Institute, points out that diminishing support for the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic coincides with Morocco's economic investments, including a $1 billion port in Dakhla, set to boost regional trade by 2028. This development aims to transform the area into a commercial hub, attracting foreign consulates.
Despite these advancements, Kirby warns that the ongoing political impasse leaves many, especially in Algerian refugee camps, in uncertainty. He calls for a forward-looking approach to ensure all former inhabitants benefit from regional progress.
Both analysts stress that global support for Morocco's resolution efforts is crucial. The consensus around the Autonomy Plan offers a path to lasting peace and prosperity, urging all parties to negotiate sincerely.
Ait Laadam concludes by noting the importance of strengthening diplomatic ties to resolve the conflict, as demonstrated by the establishment of foreign consulates in the region.