Rabat: French Culture Minister Rachida Dati arrived in Western Sahara on Monday, marking a significant diplomatic gesture in support of Morocco’s claim over the disputed territory. During her visit, she will meet with Moroccan officials and inaugurate a French cultural center, reinforcing France’s stance on the long-standing territorial dispute.
A Conflict Decades in the Making
The Western Sahara conflict dates back to 1975, when Morocco took control of the region following Spain’s withdrawal. The Algerian-backed Polisario Front has since sought independence, leading to decades of diplomatic and military tensions. While Morocco considers the region an integral part of its sovereign territory, the Polisario has continued to push for self-determination, receiving support from Algiers.
France Strengthens Ties with Morocco
“This is a strong symbolic and political moment,” Dati told Moroccan reporters, emphasizing the significance of her visit. In July, France became the second permanent member of the United Nations Security Council—after the United States—to back Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara.
French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed this position during his visit to Rabat in October, where he addressed the Moroccan Parliament and declared that Western Sahara belongs to Morocco. France’s foreign minister also committed to expanding the country’s consular presence in the region.
The deepening ties between Paris and Rabat were further underscored by economic agreements exceeding $10 billion, signed during Macron’s visit. In addition, Morocco played a key role in securing the release of four French spies detained in Burkina Faso.
Tensions with Algeria
France’s endorsement of Moroccan sovereignty has drawn criticism from Algeria, which remains a staunch supporter of the Polisario Front. The issue has long been a source of diplomatic friction between the two North African nations, with Algiers viewing Rabat’s growing international support as a setback for its regional influence.
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Morocco has also secured recognition from Western Sahara’s former colonial power, Spain, along with Israel and more than two dozen African and Arab countries.
A Lingering Conflict
In 2020, the Polisario Front withdrew from a U.N.-brokered ceasefire, citing Moroccan military actions in the region. Despite this escalation, the conflict has remained at a relatively low intensity, with sporadic clashes and diplomatic maneuvers shaping the ongoing struggle for control.
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As France solidifies its position on Western Sahara, Dati’s visit serves as another step in strengthening Morocco’s diplomatic leverage on the global stage.
