Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – Algeria’s Foreign Ministry has condemned France’s “unexpected, untimely, and counterproductive” decision to officially support Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the sole basis for resolving the dispute over Western Sahara.
The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Community Abroad announced the news in a press statement released today, saying that the French government officially endorsed Morocco’s autonomy initiative.
“The Algerian Government has noted with great regret and profound disapproval the unexpected, untimely, and counterproductive decision of the French government to provide unequivocal and unqualified support for the autonomy plan over Western Sahara within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty,” the statement wrote.
The ministry further said that France’s decision was communicated to the Algerian regime by French authorities, adding that the European country’s decision “evidently stems from dubious political calculations, morally questionable preconceptions, and legal interpretations that have no basis and no justification.”
France’s decision to officially endorse Morocco’s Autonomy Plan is yet to be confirmed by Moroccan and French diplomatic channels.
Within the international community, the European country has been for years stressing the viability of the initiative, describing it as a “serious and credible” basis for the dispute.
Algeria’s statement reflects yet another setback for the Algerian regime, as it has been supporting the separatist claims of the Polisario Front for years, challenging Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces in theWestern Sahara.
The North African regime finances, arms, and provides military training and logistical support to the separatist group.
France’s reported decision is not an isolated one, as Morocco’s Autonomy Plan has been gaining momentum and support from the international community.
One of the latest countries to endorse the initiative is Spain, which views the initiative as the only political framework capable of ending the long-standing and lingering dispute.
France and Morocco opened a new chapter in their ties following a visit from French Foreign Affairs Stephane Sejourne in February.
During the visit, Sejourne publicly stressed the importance of strategic ties with the North African country, noting that his country’s support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative has been clear and consistent.
The visit sought to end tensions stemming from what observers described as France’s ambiguous position on Morocco’s territorial integrity in its southern provinces.
Disclaimer:
The Algerian regime has now taken down the statement in which it announced that French authorities informed it of the European country’s decision to endorse Morocco’s autonomy plan.
However, the ministry has not offered any clarification about the case yet.
Observers saw Algeria’s move as a threat to the French government, similar to a statement issued by the regime when Spain announced its support for Morocco’s autonomy plan as the only political solution to end the dispute.
