Jean-Noël Barrot reaffirms France's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara (video)

Political Context: A Historical Conflict with Deep Roots

Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony relinquished in 1975, remains one of the last non-self-governing territories recognized by the United Nations (UN). For nearly half a century, this 266,000 km² desert territory has been at the heart of a dispute between Morocco, which claims sovereignty based on historical ties and controls about 80% of the region, and the Polisario Front, a Sahrawi independence movement backed by Algeria, which demands a referendum on self-determination. A UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991 halted armed conflict, but the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), extended until October 31, 2025, by Security Council Resolution 2756 (2024), has yet to deliver the promised vote.

France, a former colonial power in the Maghreb and a long-standing ally of Morocco, has historically maintained an ambiguous stance, endorsing Morocco’s 2007 autonomy plan as a “serious and credible basis” without formally recognizing its sovereignty. However, a shift occurred in July 2024 when President Emmanuel Macron declared in a letter to King Mohammed VI that “the present and future of Western Sahara lie within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty” [1]. This position, reflected in an updated map on the French Foreign Ministry’s website, marked a clear alignment with Rabat, straining ties with Algiers and sidelining Sahrawi aspirations.

Barrot’s Statement: A Strategic Reaffirmation

???? Jean-Noël Barrot, réaffirme la reconnaissance par la #France de la souveraineté marocaine sur le Sahara, et insiste sur la nécessité d'une solution politique durable, soutenue par l’ONU, qu'il discutera prochainement avec Nasser Bourita à #Paris pour avancer ce dossier. pic.twitter.com/ck79snuvBI — PhDounia ? (@PhDounia) April 3, 2025

On April 3, 2025, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot reinforced this stance in a statement shared on social media, reaffirming “France’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara” while stressing “the need for a lasting political solution supported by the UN” [2]. Made ahead of a planned meeting in Paris with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, this declaration underscores France’s commitment to strengthening ties with Morocco while framing its support within an internationally legitimate process. Its significance lies in its continuity with Macron’s policy and its timing—amid ongoing regional tensions between Morocco and Algeria and as MINURSO’s mandate nears another milestone.

The statement carries dual implications. It bolsters Morocco’s international legitimacy, aligning France with the United States (2020) and Israel (2023) in recognizing Moroccan claims, as seen in the Abraham Accords. However, it risks complicating UN-led efforts to broker a consensus by preempting negotiations and marginalizing the Polisario’s demands.

Diplomatic Implications: A Fragile Balance

France’s position reshapes its diplomatic relations across the France-Morocco-Algeria triangle. With Morocco, it cements a reconciliation after years of friction over migration and visa disputes in 2021-2022. Macron’s state visit to Rabat in October 2024, which yielded 40 economic agreements worth over €10 billion, laid the groundwork for this thaw [3]. For Rabat, French backing is a major diplomatic win, advancing its strategy to normalize the “Moroccanness” of the Sahara.

Conversely, relations with Algeria, already strained, face further deterioration. Algiers, host to Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf and a key Polisario supporter, recalled its ambassador from Paris in July 2024 and downgraded diplomatic ties in response to Macron’s letter [4]. Barrot’s statement may deepen this rift, with Algeria viewing France’s alignment as a betrayal of its historical neutrality and a threat to its regional influence.

For the Polisario Front, this is a significant setback. Sahrawi Foreign Minister Mohamed Sidati condemned France’s support in 2024 as legitimizing an “illegal occupation” [5]. Lacking robust backing from major powers, the movement may radicalize or seek greater support from nations like South Africa or Russia, which uphold self-determination principles.

The UN’s Role: Mediation Under Strain

The UN, through MINURSO and the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura, remains the primary framework for a political solution. Resolution 2756 (2024) urges the parties—Morocco, Polisario, Algeria, and Mauritania—to resume talks with “realism and compromise” [6]. Yet, France’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty complicates this mission by prejudging an outcome favorable to Rabat before negotiations conclude.

The upcoming Paris talks between Barrot and Bourita could provide leverage to reinvigorate this process. As a permanent Security Council member, France might advocate for revised UN resolutions endorsing Morocco’s autonomy plan as the sole viable option, coupled with guarantees for Sahrawi rights (cultural protections, limited self-governance). However, this would require consensus among other members, including Russia and China, which could veto such moves to counter Western influence or support Algeria.

Personal Analysis: A Viable Solution, But at What Cost?

France’s stance reflects geopolitical pragmatism: Morocco is a stable ally in a volatile region, a vital economic partner, and a key player in countering terrorism and migration flows. Supporting Rabat strengthens this partnership but risks alienating Algeria, whose cooperation remains critical on issues like gas exports and Sahel security. Regionally, this Morocco-Algeria polarization hinders Maghreb integration, stunting investment and stability.

A lasting political solution is feasible if built on compromise: expanded autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, backed by international guarantees for Sahrawi rights and a role for Algeria in the process. Yet, its success hinges on Morocco’s willingness to concede—a prospect its bolstered position may discourage—and the Polisario’s acceptance of forgoing a referendum, an increasingly elusive goal.

Internationally, reactions will vary. The United States and Spain, already aligned with Morocco, will welcome this move, while the African Union, which recognizes the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, may see it as a breach of people’s rights. France must tread carefully to avoid being perceived as imposing a unilateral solution, which could further discredit the UN process.

In conclusion, Barrot’s statement is a bold gamble that could hasten a resolution but demands deft diplomacy to prevent a tactical victory from becoming a strategic stalemate.

Sources:

1. Letter from Emmanuel Macron to Mohammed VI, July 30, 2024, Élysée.
2. Post on X by @PhDounia, April 3, 2025.
3. “Western Sahara: Macron Reaffirms Support for Moroccan Sovereignty in Rabat,” France 24, October 29, 2024.
4. Statement from the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, APS, July 30, 2024.
5. Statement by Mohamed Sidati, SPS, July 29, 2024.
6. Resolution 2756 (2024), UN Security Council, October 30, 2024.