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Doha – In a significant development for Morocco’s territorial integrity, France is preparing to officially recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, according to Xavier Driencourt, the former French ambassador to Algeria.
Speaking on the program “Points de Vue” broadcast by the newspaper “Le Figaro,” Driencourt revealed that French President Emmanuel Macron is planning a state visit to Morocco, the first of its kind, which is expected to mark a turning point in France’s stance on the Western Sahara issue.
Driencourt, who served as France’s ambassador to Algeria for a total of seven years between 2008 and 2020, emphasized that Paris now faces a choice between risking a confrontation with Algeria by recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara or compensating Algeria for this rapprochement with Rabat through new privileges.
Despite acknowledging the complexity of the situation, the French diplomat stressed that supporting Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara has become “part of the facts.”
The former ambassador stressed his belief that the Élysée Palace is planning to announce an official French recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
While the past few months have seen considerable improvement in Paris-Rabat ties, Driencourt said, the future of relations between the two countries entirely depends on France’s support for Moroccan sovereignty on Western Sahara.
The former ambassador urged President Macron to visit Morocco on a state visit, highlighting the growing awareness in France of Morocco’s importance, particularly in terms of economic interests, which surpass those with Algeria.
Read also: Despite Media Hype, France Not Ready to Support Morocco’s Western Sahara Stance
As Algeria has chosen to partner with other countries, such as China, Turkey, and Germany, at the expense of France, Driencourt argued, Paris now seeks to mend relations with Morocco, a country that plays a vital role in Africa.
The former ambassador noted that President Macron has concluded that his efforts to appease Algeria have not yielded significant results.
The French diplomat also shed light on the contrasting perspectives of Moroccans and Algerians towards France. He explained that in Algeria, there is a historical resentment rooted in France’s occupation of Algerian territory, which was considered an integral part of the French Republic.
On the other hand, the former ambassador argued, Morocco’s relationship with France was defined by a protectorate agreement with the continuous presence of a Moroccan sultan, making the situation “completely different.”
In early April, Franck Riester, the French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, visited Rabat to openly pledge France’s readiness to support Morocco’s investment efforts in the southern provinces.
Riester’s statements came on the heels of reports by French media that French companies had been given the green light to “take their share” of investments in the southern provinces, particularly in the renewable energy sector.
The French Minister of Foreign Trade praised “Morocco’s efforts in the field of investments in the Sahara,” affirming that Paris “is ready to support these efforts,” AFP reported.
Riester indicated that Proparco, a subsidiary of the French Development Agency (AFD) dedicated to the private sector, could contribute to financing the high-voltage line between Dakhlaand Casablanca.
