Algeria Denounces French Minister’s Visit to Disputed Sahara Region as “Extremely Grave”
The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the visit of French Culture Minister Rachida Dati
to the disputed Western Sahara region on Tuesday, describing it as an “extremely grave matter.”
In an official statement, the Algerian Foreign Ministry remarked, “The visit by a member of the French
government (unnamed) to Western Sahara is an extremely serious issue.” The ministry condemned the
visit on multiple grounds, highlighting it as a significant disregard for international legality by a
permanent member of the UN Security Council, referring to France.
The statement further elaborated, “This visit pushes towards consolidating the Moroccan de facto
situation in Western Sahara, a land whose people have not yet exercised their inalienable right to self-
determination.” It also accused the French government of distancing itself from UN efforts aimed at
resolving the Western Sahara conflict based on strict and genuine respect for international law.
On Monday, French Culture Minister Rachida Dati visited the city of Laayoune in the Sahara region,
calling her visit “historic.” She emphasized that the trip reaffirms France’s official stance supporting
Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara. Dati told French media, “This visit confirms that both the
present and future of this region fall under Moroccan sovereignty, as previously affirmed by President
Emmanuel Macron.” She added that Paris would intensify its efforts within the United Nations and the
European Union to support Morocco’s proposal for resolving the dispute.
The conflict over Western Sahara involves Morocco and the Polisario Front, with Rabat proposing an
expanded autonomy under its sovereignty, while the Polisario Front, supported by Algeria, calls for a
referendum on self-determination.
In July 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron provoked Algerian ire by sending a letter to
Moroccan King Mohammed VI, expressing support for the autonomy proposal in Western Sahara.
