Egypt Daily News – Algeria has decided to withdraw its ambassador to France in reaction to the French government’s recent recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.
The announcement was made by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which stated that this action was taken following a letter from French President Emmanuel Macron to Moroccan King Mohammed VI, in which Macron affirmed that the future of Western Sahara is under Moroccan sovereignty.
In the statement, the Algerian government expressed its discontent, stating that the French government’s decision was a departure from previous policies and showed a lack of consideration for the implications of such a stance.
The ministry criticized France for supporting what it termed “the imposed colonial reality” in Western Sahara and accused the French government of violating international legitimacy and denying the right to self-determination for the Sahrawi people.
The ministry emphasized that this recognition undermines ongoing United Nations efforts towards the decolonization of Western Sahara.
As a result of these developments, Algeria has appointed its chargé d’affaires to take over diplomatic responsibilities in France, marking a significant diplomatic rift between Algeria and France amidst ongoing tensions regarding Western Sahara. Macron’s message coincided with the 25th anniversary of Throne Day in Morocco, reinforcing France’s commitment to its position on the issue.
