Emmanuel Macron’s recent support for Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara during his visit to Morocco has sparked outrage in Algeria. The Algerian media condemned his remarks as violating international law and deepening the crisis between the two nations. Critics argue that this alignment with Morocco benefits French interests at the expense of the Saharawi people, while highlighting the lack of tangible advantages for France. Algeria’s withdrawal of its ambassador to France underscores the escalating tension in diplomatic relations.
Recent remarks from Emmanuel Macron during his state visit to Morocco have sparked significant backlash in Algeria. His comments regarding Western Sahara, a territory with a complex history as a former Spanish colony, were scrutinized. Morocco asserts control over nearly 80% of this region, which the United Nations classifies as a ‘non-self-governing territory’. The area has been the center of a prolonged conflict involving Moroccan authorities and the Polisario Front, the latter receiving support from Algeria.
While addressing the Moroccan Parliament on October 29, Macron emphasized France’s backing of ‘Moroccan sovereignty’ over Western Sahara, stating that ‘the present and future’ of this contested land ‘fall within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty’. This position mirrors an earlier stance taken in a letter to King Mohammed VI, which anticipated his visit that had been delayed multiple times.
Macron adds another layer… at the risk of definitively severing the Ariadne’s thread that still holds him in Algiers
Macron adds another layer… at the risk of definitively severing the Ariadne’s thread that still holds him in Algiers
El Watan, a French-speaking Algerian daily
Macron’s declarations were met with strong criticism from the Algerian media. The French-language daily El Watan highlighted the negative repercussions of Macron’s stance, suggesting that his support for an autonomy plan proposed by Morocco has intensified tensions between the two nations. They noted that ‘Macron is putting another layer on… at the risk of definitively severing the Ariadne’s thread that still holds him in Algiers.’
El Watan reported that Algeria promptly recalled its ambassador from Paris following Macron’s earlier support for Morocco, which was condemned in Algeria as bolstering the ‘colonial fait accompli’ in Western Sahara. The newspaper underlined calls from Saharan representatives for a UN-sponsored self-determination referendum, an agreement made during the 1991 ceasefire that has yet to be realized.
‘A Fool’s Bargain’
The news outlet TSA criticized the growing ties between France and Morocco, stating that it has come at the cost of the Saharawi people’s interests, driven by French lobbies opposed to Algeria. TSA conveyed that Macron’s support for Morocco may ultimately leave him with ‘almost empty suitcases’, labeling it a ‘fool’s bargain’ since France’s position holds ‘symbolic, with no legal value’.
‘The recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union annulling agricultural and fisheries agreements with Morocco serves as a reminder that sovereignty cannot simply be decreed by states.’ According to TSA, ‘Morocco has little to offer’ to France in economic terms, emphasizing that the kingdom is not a significant consumer market or a paradise for French businesses.
Meanwhile, the Arabic-language daily Ecchorouk, which aligns with the Algerian government, stated that ‘none of the objectives Macron has set in his relations with Algiers have been met.’ Despite efforts by the French president to strengthen ties with Algeria since 2020, ‘Paris continues to lose the few economic interests it has left.’