The former French ambassador to Algeria, Xavier Driencourt, stated that Paris's position supporting Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara would have a "domino effect" in Europe. He expects other European countries to announce positions supporting Rabat on this issue, which Algeria fears, according to the French diplomat.
Driencourt, in an interview with the French newspaper Le Point, said that the position expressed by French President Emmanuel Macron in a letter sent last Wednesday to King Mohammed VI was not surprising to him, noting that "there have been noticeable developments for several months."
He explained that "all this began in February with the visit of the head of French diplomacy, Stéphane Séjourné, who recognized the importance of the Saharan issue for Morocco. As a result, some French investments in the Sahara were permitted, which indicates that there was already a development."
The former French ambassador to Algeria acknowledged that Paris had difficulty balancing relations with Algeria and Morocco due to the Sahara issue. He noted that Macron made several "gestures" toward Algeria, but the latter did not respond positively, complicating matters with the Kingdom of Morocco. Recently, Macron decided to pursue reconciliation by taking a strong stance supporting Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara.
Driencourt believes that before taking this step, France "assessed the advantages and disadvantages, and decided that the benefits with Morocco outweighed the disadvantages of disagreement or separation with Algeria," pointing out several benefits Paris would gain based on its new position.
According to Driencourt, "There are more opportunities that will open up for French companies wishing to invest in Morocco because everything was on hold due to the Sahara issue. In the context of preparations for the 2030 World Cup, there will undoubtedly be many Franco-Moroccan opportunities."
Regarding the strategic benefits Paris hopes to gain from this increased support for Rabat, especially in terms of influence on the African continent, the French diplomat said, "This is possible, even though Algeria has influence over some countries in Africa. I think the two should be roughly equivalent. Algeria and Morocco are both competing on the African continent. Now, matters are decided in the African Union and the United Nations. We will see how all this balances out."
Driencourt noted that "it is important to remember that Morocco's new agenda for the Atlantic front of the continent could change the balance of power on the continent. Paris may play a role in this direction. But what is decisive for me is that the President of the Republic wants to reconcile with Rabat, and there are only limited ways to reconcile with the Kingdom."
The former French ambassador discussed the impact of France's position on the Moroccan Sahara issue, stating that this important diplomatic step by Paris "will lead to a domino effect on other European countries. I believe several European countries will say that since Paris - an important partner and one well acquainted with the Maghreb countries, and the former colonial power in Algeria - is taking this step, it’s okay for them to do so as well."
Driencourt added in this context that "what Algeria fears is that other European countries, after Spain and France, and the European Union as a whole, will support the Moroccan position, leaving Algeria isolated," noting that Morocco's approach to a final resolution of the Sahara conflict is becoming "a reality."
