On July 30, 2024, France officially recognized the region of Western Sahara as Moroccan territory. In a letter to the Moroccan King Mohammed VI, President Emmanuel Macron wrote that Rabat’s proposal in 2007 to allow autonomy of the region of western Sahara is the “only basis” to resolve the conflict.

In response, the foreign minister of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, Mohamed Sidati, said “Whatever hardships Morocco tries to impose on us with the support of France, the Sahrawi people will continue to stubbornly defend their…struggle for self-determination and independence.”

The conflict between Morocco and Western Sahara (governed by the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic) dates back to 1975. After the Spanish relinquished control of ‘Spanish Sahara’ (Western Sahara), Morocco and Mauritania divided the territory among themselves. However, the Polisario Front, announced the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and fought against Morocco and Mauritania, calling them ‘occupiers.’ In 1979, Mauritania withdrew from its part of the territory and eventually Morocco controlled 80 percent of Western Sahara, known as the ‘sand beam.’

In 1991, under UN mediation, a ceasefire and a UN buffer zone was established along the ‘sand beam.’ In addition, the UN called for a referendum for Western Saharan independence, although it never happened. In 2007, due to French and American pressure, the Moroccans proposed a plan that would provide autonomy for Western Sahara. Under this proposal for autonomy, Western Sahara would have the autonomy akin to Catalonia in Spain. Nevertheless, the Polisario Front rejected this plan, arguing that it denied the population’s right to self-determination.

Later, in 2020, the ceasefire collapsed after the Moroccans seized the UN buffer section to clear Polisario activist. In response, the Polisario Front resumed attacks on Morocco.

Throughout the conflict, the French have sought to maintain a ‘neutral position,’ as they seek cordial relations with Morocco and Algeria, its two former colonial territories. However, ever since Macron became president, there was an increased effort to improve ties with Algeria. During the campaign, Macron said that French colonialism was a “crime against humanity.” In 2021, he said that the usage of torture against Algerians during the 1962 War of Independence was “inexcusable.” Nevertheless, Macron refused to give a formal apology for French colonization of Algeria.

Consequently, relations between Paris and Rabat briefly deteriorated illustrated by when the Moroccans recalled their ambassador to France in February 2023 and declined French assistance after the September 2023 earthquake.

However, the shift in France’s position to recognize Western Sahara as Moroccan territory illustrates two geopolitical elements.

First, the French want to have preserve their influence in North Africa. In recent years, France’s influence in across Françafrique have been challenged, especially as military coups in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and elsewhere have demanded the French to withdraw militarily, largely over resentment of perceived France’s neo-colonialism. However, Macron has repeatedly accused the Russians of fomenting anti-French sentiment through disinformation. Thus,  Paris hopes to preserve good relations with Morocco, one of its few remaining strategic partners in the region.

Second, this decision illustrates Morocco’s growing regional role. A critical element that shapes the Western Sahara is the rivalry for regional leadership between Algeria and Morocco since 1963. “While their people share the same… culture, the nature of the two countries’ political systems…and their strategic alliances”  during the Cold War, “have caused them to drift apart.” Tensions between these countries escalated in August 2021, when the Algerians broke off diplomatic relations with the Moroccans.

Hence, not surprisingly, after France’s decision, the Algerian government withdrew its ambassador from France and the Algerian ministry of foreign affairs denounced France’s decision as a “step that no other French government had taken before,” and said that France and Morocco are “colonial powers, new and old.”

However, France’s decision reflects Morocco’s growing role. In 2017, the Moroccans joined the African Union, and during the 2018 AU summit, the bloc said that the status of Western Sahara was under UN authority. Countries such as Zambia, which were close supporters of the Polisario Front, opened a consulate in Western Sahara.

Importantly, in 2020, the US recognized it as Moroccan, which was part of a deal to incentivize Morocco to join the Abraham Accords.

Thus, as Morocco is rising in influence, France seeks the benefits of a cordial relationship with Rabat by recognizing Western Sahara as Moroccan.