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[Global Times Comprehensive Report] According to AFP, on July 30, local time, after France expressed support for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, Algeria announced the "immediate recall" of its ambassador to France. According to reports, French President Macron wrote to Moroccan King Mohammed VI earlier that day, saying that Paris recognized the autonomy plan for Western Sahara and believed that it was "the only basis for a correct, lasting and negotiated political solution in accordance with UN resolutions." The Moroccan royal family welcomed Macron's remarks in the letter, believing that this was "an important step in supporting Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara."

Macron, file photo, source: The Paper

According to Agence France-Presse, Macron's statement aroused the anger of the Polisario Front, which demands the independence of Western Sahara, and its supporter Algeria. In a statement, the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that France "flouted international law and deprived the people of Western Sahara of their right to self-determination" and called Morocco and France "new and old colonial powers". The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated that the Algerian government would consider "all the consequences of France's decision."

Western Sahara is located in northwest Africa. It is a former Spanish colony and a region with disputed sovereignty. Morocco and the Polisario Front had been fighting for the ownership of Western Sahara for more than 10 years. A ceasefire agreement was reached under the mediation of the United Nations in 1991. The UN Security Council passed a resolution in the same year to establish MINURSO to monitor the ceasefire and organize a referendum in Western Sahara if feasible in the future.

AFP quoted Abidi, an expert on North African issues, as saying that Macron's remarks showed a "historic change" in France's position on the sovereignty of Western Sahara. France has long maintained traditional relations with Algeria and Morocco. Abidi said that Macron's decision was made under pressure from the French right, which believes that "Paris will never win Algeria and is likely to lose its main ally Morocco."

The Associated Press believes that Macron's remarks are unlikely to change the sovereignty dispute in the region, but may deepen France's relationship with Morocco, which has long accused France of drawing colonial borders that it believes are the root of the conflict.

According to reports, France said it had "noted Algeria's decision to recall its ambassador" and said it would deepen its relations with Algeria. A diplomatic source said: "We remain committed to continuing to deepen our bilateral relations with Algeria." (Li Bo)