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French Senate president highlights Morocco's Sahara autonomy plan as "self-evident truth"

Tuesday 25 February 2025 - 16:10
French Senate president highlights Morocco's Sahara autonomy plan as "self-evident truth"
By: Dakir Madiha
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French Senate President Gérard Larcher has described France's evolving position on the Sahara issue as "self-evident, a fundamental truth," during a meeting in Laayoune on Monday evening. Speaking before Mohamed Ould Errachid, President of the House of Councilors, and regional governors including Abdeslam Bekrate, Wali of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region, Larcher emphasized that "this self-evident position has undergone a long maturation process."

Larcher recalled the Senate's early efforts to encourage a diplomatic initiative ensuring that France, which has consistently supported Morocco through existential challenges, would acknowledge developments since 2007 and eliminate any ambiguity in its stance. He affirmed that France's support for the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty as the sole framework for resolution is now established policy across all institutions of the French Republic, stressing that this support "is not merely a governmental policy but now represents the position of the French Republic."

The French Senate President expressed that he and his delegation were "impressed beyond expectations" by Laayoune region's remarkable development in accordance with King Mohammed VI's vision, particularly noting advancements in infrastructure, social facilities, and sustainable development initiatives. Larcher observed that Morocco's southern provinces represent a successful model for the entire Sahelo-Saharan region, which faces numerous tensions.

"This model aligns with Morocco's geostrategic vision and presents an opportunity for development and improved access for states surrounding the Kingdom," Larcher explained during the meeting, which was attended by elected officials, parliamentarians, Sahrawi tribal sheikhs, consuls general accredited to Laayoune, Mohamed Zidouh, President of the Morocco-France parliamentary friendship group in the House of Councilors, and Christophe Lecourtier, French Ambassador to Rabat.

Larcher expressed the Senate's willingness to share its expertise in deconcentration and decentralization with Morocco, proposing advancement in decentralized cooperation between France and Morocco. "Territorial communities represent rich potential for development and serve as crucibles for political, economic, and social cooperation in water management, transportation, and digital transformation," he noted.

Recognizing that both the House of Councilors and the Senate represent territorial communities, Larcher proposed giving new momentum to territorial diplomacy between French and Moroccan communities—an initiative that "encompasses all of Morocco, from Tangier to the far reaches of the Sahara," in accordance with decisions already made.

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