Rabat: France has announced a significant $168-million investment in the Western Sahara region, a territory predominantly controlled by Morocco but also claimed by the Polisario Front. This investment will be managed by the state-run French Development Agency (AFD), as confirmed by AFD chief executive Remy Rioux during his visit to the area.
According to Nam News Network, AFD’s commitment will focus on providing investments and financing to the southern regions of Western Sahara. This mineral-rich former Spanish colony has been a point of contention for decades, with Morocco asserting control and the pro-independence Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, staking a claim.
In a significant diplomatic shift last year, French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged Morocco’s autonomy plan as the sole basis for resolving the conflict. This move aligned with the United States’ 2020 recognition of Moroccan claims over Western Sahara, which was a part of a broader agreement that saw Morocco normalize relations with Is
rael.
The French investment and diplomatic stance have stirred tensions with Algeria, a supporter of the Polisario Front. In response to the evolving diplomatic landscape, Algeria severed diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021.