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Algerian media expressed relief after the visit of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs to Rabat on Monday. They welcomed the fact that France did not explicitly recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, as they had feared.
«Stéphane Séjourné disappoints the Moroccan regime. The French authorities avoided the imprudence into which the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, fell during his recent visit to Morocco», declared Echoroukonline.
«In Rabat, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs was careful in his movements and reserved in his statements, leaving no room for the media to manipulate the visit's outcome», estimated the same source.
Similarly, TSA reported that Stéphane Séjourné «did not offer the Moroccans more than what France has granted them since 2007 on the question of Western Sahara». According to the news website, the minister acknowledged the «sensitivity» of the matter and «reiterated his country's clear and constant support for the autonomy plan».
The Algerian media disregarded Séjourné's call for the resumption of the UN-organized Round Tables on the Sahara with «all parties concerned, without exception», as well as his praise for Moroccan investments in the Sahara.
Morocco hints at future announcements
Algerian media closely monitored the recent talks between French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné and his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, in Rabat. Their primary concern centered on the possibility of France following the lead of the United States and Israel in recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
An article published on February 21st by TSA noted, «Now that the rapprochement is confirmed, many observers are wondering about France's position on Western Sahara, given that many blame the chilled relations between the two capitals primarily on Paris' refusal to follow suit».
Similarly, the Awras website pondered in a pre-visit video, «Will France sacrifice its relations with Algeria to please Morocco?» Echouroukonline adopted a more threatening tone, warning France that «any misstep by Paris, regardless of its level» on the Sahara issue «will bring the situation (of Franco-Algerian relations) back to square one».
In his post-meeting press statement, Bourita maintained a calm and confident demeanor while confirming that the coming months hold «other deadlines for other announcements» regarding French-Moroccan relations.
It's important to note that previous recognitions of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara were declared by heads of state, not foreign ministers. This precedent was set by former US President Donald Trump on December 10, 2020, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 17, 2023. Will French President Emmanuel Macron follow suit during a potential upcoming state visit ?
