2024-08-02 09:03:43
The Algerian government has decided to withdraw its ambassador to France with immediate effect following the French government’s recognition of the Moroccan autonomy plan as the sole basis for resolving the Western Sahara conflict within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.
The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed, in a statement, that this step, which no previous French government had taken, was taken by the current government with great disdain and recklessness, without any insightful assessment of the consequences that would result from it.
The statement added that “by recognizing the Moroccan plan for autonomy as the sole basis for resolving the Western Sahara conflict within the framework of alleged Moroccan sovereignty, the French government is violating international legitimacy, denying the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination, and contradicting all the tireless and persistent efforts made by the United Nations with the aim of completing the process of decolonization in Western Sahara.
This comes at a time when the Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro, known as the “Polisario,” denounced, through its senior official, Mohamed Sidati, France’s support for the “occupation” of Western Sahara, following Paris’ announcement of its support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco regarding this disputed region.
The Polisario Front expressed its condemnation on Tuesday of what it described as France’s support for the “occupation” of Western Sahara.
In a statement published by the Sahrawi News Agency, Sahrawi Foreign Minister Mohamed Sidati said that the French government no longer hides its position by officially announcing its “support” for the autonomy plan presented by Rabat regarding this region, which the United Nations classifies as a “non-self-governing territory.”
It is noteworthy that the Sahara region is a former Spanish colony, 80% of which is controlled by Morocco, while the Polisario Front, supported by Algeria, claims sovereignty over it.
Rabat proposes granting this region self-rule under its sovereignty, while the Polisario Front calls for a referendum on self-determination under the auspices of the United Nations, as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement concluded in 1991.
The United Nations considers the region, which contains fish wealth and large phosphate reserves, to be a “non-self-governing territory.”
Last updated: July 30, 2024 – 19:06
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2024-08-02 09:03:43