Algeria’s foreign ministry launched a strong condemnation on Tuesday following French Culture Minister Rachida Dati’s historic visit to Laayoune, located in Morocco-controlled Western Sahara. The ministry expressed outrage, accusing France of a “flagrant disregard for international law” and labeling the visit as a provocative move that undermines the ongoing dispute over the region’s sovereignty.
Dati’s visit to Laayoune marked the first time a French government official has visited the disputed region, drawing sharp criticism from Algeria, which continues to support the Polisario Front’s claim to the territory. The Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, seeks independence for Western Sahara, while Morocco considers it part of its territorial integrity. The visit comes amidst heightened tensions over the decades-long territorial dispute and the unresolved issue of the region’s decolonization.
In a statement, Algeria’s foreign ministry accused France of helping to solidify Morocco’s control over Western Sahara, thereby perpetuating the status quo in the region. The ministry further criticized France as an “old colonial power showing solidarity with a new one,” referencing Morocco’s claim over the territory. Algeria framed the visit as “particularly serious” and “condemnable on multiple levels,” citing the ongoing dispute over the region’s status and the absence of a clear resolution on the self-determination of its people.
The statement emphasized that the issue of Western Sahara remains a key point in international diplomacy, with the United Nations continuing efforts to facilitate a political settlement. Algeria argued that France’s actions further isolate it from the international community’s push for a resolution based on international law, especially the right to self-determination for the Sahrawi people.
Algeria’s position is grounded in its continued support for the Polisario Front, which is seeking independence for the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), recognized by some nations but not by Morocco. The dispute over Western Sahara has been a source of tension for decades, with sporadic armed conflict, diplomatic standoffs, and UN-brokered ceasefire agreements, but no final resolution in sight.
The French government, which has historically had close ties with Morocco, has been increasingly vocal in its support for Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, particularly in recent years. This visit by Minister Dati, who is responsible for French cultural diplomacy, reflects France’s continued alignment with Morocco’s position. Dati’s visit also aims to strengthen cultural and economic ties between the two countries, including expanding cooperation in areas such as education, art, and heritage.
However, the visit has sparked strong reactions from Algeria, which views the French support for Morocco as a betrayal of its longstanding position on the Western Sahara conflict. Algeria has been a key player in the region’s geopolitics, particularly in its backing of the Polisario Front’s push for independence and its role in advocating for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination under international law.
The statement from Algeria’s foreign ministry serves as a reminder that the Western Sahara conflict remains one of Africa’s most contentious territorial disputes, with competing claims from Morocco, the Polisario Front, and neighboring countries. As the international community continues to call for a peaceful resolution, France’s role in the conflict remains a significant point of contention, particularly as the European country strengthens its ties with Morocco.
