The Algerian government views France’s Cultural Minister Rachida Dati’s visit to Western Sahara as an act that disregards international law in complete violation.
The February 17th visit of French Minister Rachida Dati to Moroccan-controlled Western Sahara remained the first official trip conducted by a French minister in the disputed lands Algeria supports the Polisario Front to claim.
The Algerian foreign ministry declared through a February 18 statement that this visit demonstrated “the detestable image of a former colonial power which now stands together with a new power.” The ministry declared Western Sahara as a territory which has not completed its de-colonization process nor achieved its right to self-determination.
The visit to Laayoune allowed Minister Dati to join Moroccan Culture Minister Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid for the inauguration of the new Alliance Française cultural mission. Dati characterized the event as having both political and cultural significance which will bring value to the local community of children and educators and students.
The incident took place when diplomatic relations between France and Algeria remained tense particularly due to their disagreement over Western Sahara. The French president Emmanuel Macron declared Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara during July 2024 causing Algeria to accuse him of endangering the region’s independence status.
The conflict about this territory started in 1975 and Morocco currently holds authority over 70% of this disputed land even though the Polisario Front claims the right to self-government over the remaining section.
Peacekeeping forces under the United Nations have stationed in Western Sahara since 1991 but Morocco has repeatedly resisted any referendum that could grant independence to the area.
The Western Sahara issue remains complex because Algeria recently criticized French Minister Dati’s official visit which highlights both regional political tensions and constant sensitivities regarding the Western Sahara dispute.
