MONROVIA, July 30 (LINA) – France has officially affirmed the rights of the Kingdom of Morocco over the future of Western Sahara, declaring that the future of the territory lies within the framework of Moroccan Sovereignty.

According to a statement from Morocco’s Royal Office on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, the President of France Emmanuel Macron officially informed His Majesty King Mohammed VI that he “considers that the present and future of Western Sahara lie within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.”

The message from the French President, according to the statement, coincides with Morocco's observance of the 25th anniversary of the nation’s public holiday – Throne Day.

It said that the French President reaffirms “the unwavering position of France on the issue of national security for the Kingdom” and asserts that his country “intends to act in alignment with this position both nationally and internationally.”

In this regard, President Emmanuel Macron stressed that “for France, autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework within which the issue shall be resolved.

The statement quoted President Macron as saying, “Our support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007 is clear and unwavering,” adding that this plan “constitutes now the only basis to achieve a just, lasting, and negotiated political solution, in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions.”

“Today, an increasingly broad international consensus is emerging,” noted the French President regarding the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty, emphasizing that “France fully plays its part in all relevant fora,” particularly through its support for the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy. “It is time to move forward. I therefore encourage all parties to come together for a political settlement, which is within reach,” President Macron stated in his message.

Commending Morocco’s efforts to promote the economic and social development of the Moroccan Sahara, the French President committed to ensuring that “France will support Morocco in this endeavor for the benefit of the local populations.”

This announcement from the French Republic, permanent member of the UN Security Council, marks an important and significant step in supporting Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara. It is part of the momentum spurred by His Majesty King Mohammed VI by numerous countries worldwide, advocating for Morocco's territorial integrity and the autonomy plan as the exclusive framework for resolving this regional dispute.