Will France's pro-Morocco stance on Western Sahara impact ties with Algeria?

After two years of ambiguity, France has finally taken a step towards a pro-Morocco stance regarding the disputed territory of Western Sahara, further risking an already delicate relationship with Algeria, the Polisario Front's primary ally.

On Monday, 26 February, Foreign French Minister Stéphane Séjourné embarked on Paris' first official visit to Rabat after a series of diplomatic crises.

In his meeting with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, Séjourné was expected to tackle one key issue: the territory of Western Sahara.

"The issue of the Sahara is the most prominent point in my visit to Morocco, and through the autonomy plan, Rabat must rely on Paris and its clear stance in supporting this plan," said Séjourné in a press conference in Rabat.

Joint press conference between MFA Nasser Bourita and his French counterpart, Mr. Stéphane Séjourné.@steph_sejourne @francediplo_EN pic.twitter.com/JyoKNXBqB6

— Moroccan Diplomacy 🇲🇦 (@Marocdiplo_EN) February 26, 2024

What is Morocco's autonomy plan?

In 2007, Morocco presented its autonomy plan for the territory, which is supposed to allow Saharawis to run their affairs "democratically", through legislative, executive, and judicial bodies, while Morocco retains control over defence and foreign relations.

The UN supported Rabat's proposal, but Algeria and the Polisario Front separatist movement rejected it​​​​​​.

Since then, numerous UN-sponsored talks have failed to make a breakthrough, with each side further entrenching its position.

"We have said this before, and I will repeat it today, perhaps with even greater emphasis: the time has come to move forward, and I will personally ensure that," added Séjourné, stressing the importance of 'pragmacy' vis-à-vis the conflict.

For his part, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita emphasised that "Moroccan-French relations must be renewed and developed based on principles of mutual respect, ambition, and coordination, as state-to-state relations." 

The two officials promised an advanced 30-year-long partnership plan in several sectors, including renewable energy.

Will Paris' new position on W. Sahara impact ties with Algeria?

In 2022, Morocco's King Mohammed VI called on his country's partners to "clarify" their position over the disputed Western Sahara and deemed it the only measure in expressing sincerity of friendship with Rabat.

Although France initially supported Rabat's autonomy plan in 2007, recent years saw Paris refrain from taking a clear position on the conflict, often prioritising efforts to improve relations with Algeria, a longstanding adversary of Rabat and a vital supporter of the Polisario Front.

Algeria, which continues to advocate for the independence of Western Sahara, has yet to react to Séjourné's remarks regarding the territory.

In 2022, Algeria strongly objected when Spain endorsed Morocco's autonomy plan for the disputed territory. Since then, Madrid and Algiers have experienced a diplomatic and economic rift.

Several Algerian commentators believe that Séjourné's remarks will have little impact on Algerian-French relations, as the longstanding diplomatic tensions between Paris and Algiers have historically been rooted in colonial history rather than the Sahara dispute.

"Spain's case was different. Because Madrid, as a former coloniser of the territory, maintained a neutral position vis-à-vis the conflict until Sanchez reversed it. But Paris has always supported the autonomy plan," said an Algerian political analyst who preferred anonymity considering his 'sensitive position' in a state institution. 

For the Moroccan analyst Noueddin El-Yazid, Séjourné was "reluctant to advance on the Sahara issue in a manner pleasing to Rabat and angering Algeria."

"Morocco was seeking significant progress from Paris on its proposal, rather than mere repetition of support for autonomy," he added.