France’s New Stance on Sahara: A Shift in Media Representation

Tuesday 06 August 2024 - 10:05

In a significant diplomatic development, French President Emmanuel Macron has affirmed that the future and present of the Sahara lie within the framework of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces. This declaration has prompted French official television channels to adopt Morocco’s full and undivided map, which includes the disputed Sahara region.

Last week, France 5, a public television channel, broadcasted a complete map of Morocco, inclusive of its southern provinces. This broadcast marks a notable shift following France’s recent decision to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over Sahara.

A statement from the royal cabinet highlighted that President Macron announced France’s new position on the Sahara, emphasizing that “the present and future of Sahara lie within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.” Macron further underscored France’s support for the autonomy initiative as a definitive framework for resolving the territorial dispute.

Morocco has expressed satisfaction with France’s new “strong” and “clear position,” noting that this move will further enhance bilateral ties between Paris and Rabat. King Mohammed VI remarked, “I am particularly pleased with the clear and strong position adopted by France, in Your Message, on the Moroccan Sahara issue,” adding that the European country’s new stance contributes to strengthening the international momentum that many countries are already supporting.

The adoption of the full Moroccan map by official French channels is part of formalizing and aligning with the new French position on the regional dispute. This mirrors the actions taken by the United States in December 2020, when it recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in Sahara. Following that recognition, many US publicly owned websites, including those of the State Department, CIA, and NASA, adopted a full map of Morocco.

This development signifies a broader international trend of recognizing Morocco’s claims over Sahara, reflecting a shift in geopolitical alliances and media representation. The alignment of French media with the new diplomatic stance underscores the growing support for Morocco’s sovereignty in the international community.