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Sahara: Algeria Angered by France's Support for Moroccan Autonomy Plan

Thursday 25 July 2024 - 19:00

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In a surprising turn of events, France has officially informed Algerian authorities of its decision to support Morocco's autonomy plan for the Sahara. This move has sparked significant diplomatic tensions between Paris and Algiers. The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this development in a statement released on Thursday via the social media platform X.

The announcement, which came unexpectedly from the Algerian side, revealed that French authorities had communicated their position to their Algerian counterparts in recent days. The statement from Ahmed Attaf's department expressed Algeria's "deep disapproval" of France's decision, describing it as "unexpected, untimely, and counterproductive."

Algeria's response was swift and forceful. The government stated that it would "draw all the consequences" from this French decision, for which they believe the French government "bears full and sole responsibility."

The Algerian Foreign Ministry's communiqué further elaborated on their stance, noting that the French government's support for the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty was "unequivocal and unqualified." This characterization underscores the perceived definitiveness of France's position shift.

In unusually strong diplomatic language, Algeria described the French decision as stemming from "dubious political calculations" and "morally questionable prejudices." The statement also questioned the legal basis for France's new stance, arguing that it lacks justification and support.

The Algerian government particularly emphasized the problematic nature of this position coming from a permanent member of the UN Security Council. They argued that France, in this role, should act in accordance with the decisions of this body and international law in general.

Furthermore, Algeria contends that the French decision does not serve the objective of peace in the Sahara. Instead, they argue, it prolongs the current impasse and helps to consolidate what they term the "colonial fait accompli" in the territory.

This development marks a significant shift in the dynamics of the long-standing Sahara dispute and could potentially alter the diplomatic landscape in North Africa. As tensions rise, the international community watches closely to see how this situation will unfold and what implications it may have for regional stability and future negotiations over the status of the Sahara.