Sahrawi Diplomat Maalainin Lakhal Condemns France’s Role in Western Sahara and Calls for International Accountability

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Maalainin Lakhal Denounces Rashida Dati’s Visit and Urges the Implementation of European Court Ruling on Trade Deals with Morocco

Algiers, Algeria | February 23rd, 2025 — The Deputy Permanent Representative of Western Sahara to the African Union, Ambassador Maalainin Lakhal, has strongly condemned France’s continued support for Morocco’s illegal occupation of Western Sahara, branding the recent visit of French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati to Laayoune as an “unlawful and provocative act of complicity.” Speaking to Echorouk Online, Lakhal asserted that the visit exemplifies France’s historical and ongoing collusion with Morocco’s colonial ambitions and its attempts to impose a false legitimacy over occupied Sahrawi territories.

According to Lakhal, this visit is not a mere cultural engagement, but rather a deliberate political maneuver by Paris to bolster Morocco’s occupation in blatant violation of international law and the inalienable right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination and independence.

French Complicity in Colonialism

Lakhal emphasized that France’s unwavering backing of Morocco undermines international efforts to resolve the Western Sahara conflict. He stated, “This visit reinforces our belief that France continues to be the biggest part of the problem, refusing to play a constructive role and instead persistently acting against the principles of justice, self-determination, and international legality.”

He further condemned the French government’s endorsement of so-called “cultural projects” in the occupied territories, dismissing them as a thinly veiled attempt to legitimize Morocco’s illegal presence. “No foreign presence, French or otherwise, can bestow legal recognition upon an occupation that remains unlawful under international law,” he stressed.

Holding the French government directly responsible for what he termed as “dangerous complicity,” Lakhal urged Paris to revise its policies that openly contradict fundamental principles of justice and human rights. He highlighted France’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council as an added layer of accountability, calling its stance a “shameful display of double standards” that undermines its credibility in international affairs.

Beyond France, Lakhal questioned the silence of key international bodies, including the United Nations, the European Union, and UNESCO, over Morocco’s continued violation of Sahrawi cultural and national identity. He called upon these organizations to take immediate action to prevent the manipulation of culture as an instrument of colonialism and to hold Morocco accountable for its systematic abuses.

“How long will the international community allow Morocco to trample over international law? Where is the EU, which constantly boasts about defending human rights? Where is UNESCO, the supposed guardian of cultural heritage, when an entire nation’s identity is being appropriated and distorted?” he asked.

Despite these challenges, Lakhal reaffirmed the unwavering resolve of the Sahrawi people to resist any attempts at cultural erasure or forced assimilation. “The Sahrawi people will never stand idly by as their land, identity, and rights are stolen. We will continue our legitimate resistance until we reclaim full sovereignty over our land,” he declared.

European Court Ruling: A Legal Victory That Must Be Enforced

Addressing the landmark ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in October, which invalidated trade agreements between the EU and Morocco for illegally including Western Sahara’s resources, Lakhal hailed the decision as a “historic triumph for Sahrawi self-determination.” He called on EU member states to ensure the full and immediate implementation of the ruling, warning against any attempts to circumvent it.

“This ruling confirms beyond any doubt that Morocco has no sovereignty over Western Sahara and that any economic exploitation of our resources without our consent is a clear violation of international law,” he said.

Lakhal outlined potential next steps for the Sahrawi government in leveraging the ruling, including intensifying diplomatic efforts within the EU to prevent any economic dealings that violate the decision. He also highlighted the possibility of launching legal action against European companies that continue to exploit Western Sahara’s resources despite the ruling.

“We have successfully challenged such illegal exploitation in the past, and we will not hesitate to do so again. The Sahrawi people will use every legal and diplomatic tool at their disposal to protect their rights and hold violators accountable,” he affirmed.

Additionally, Lakhal urged African, Latin American, and Asian allies to reinforce their support for the Sahrawi cause by pressuring global institutions to uphold international law and prevent Morocco from continuing its resource plundering under false pretenses.

Lakhal reiterated that the struggle for Sahrawi independence is far from over. “This ruling is a powerful legal weapon in our just struggle. Now, we must ensure that it translates into real-world consequences for those who seek to exploit our land illegally.” He reaffirmed the Sahrawi people’s determination to persist in their fight against Moroccan occupation until full sovereignty is achieved.

Algeria’s Triumph in the African Union: A Strategic Victory for the Sahrawi Cause

The recent election of Algeria’s ambassador, Salima Malika Hadadi, as Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission marked a historic milestone, not just for Algeria, but for the entire African continent. The overwhelming support Hadadi received reflected a collective endorsement of Algeria’s unwavering diplomatic stance, particularly in defense of decolonization, sovereignty, and the right of peoples to self-determination. This election victory, however, did not come without a fierce battle, as it unfolded in a highly contested race where Algeria faced candidates from two significant regional powers: Egypt and Morocco.

Maalainin Lakhal provided critical insights into the significance of Hadadi’s election. In his remarks, he underscored that Algeria’s diplomatic success was a decisive moment for Africa’s commitment to justice and self-determination. “The candidacy of Morocco, a nation that only joined the AU in 2017 after decades of absence, was not about securing a leadership role but rather an attempt to obstruct Algeria’s bid. Morocco’s political maneuvering within the AU, characterized by clandestine lobbying and underhanded tactics, has become a recurrent theme in its broader diplomatic agenda aimed at undermining legitimate decolonization efforts,” Lakhal stated.

For the Sahrawi cause, this victory represents an invaluable asset. Algeria has consistently been at the forefront of defending international law and the foundational principles of the AU, particularly regarding the right to self-determination. With Hadadi now occupying such an influential position, Algeria will be better positioned to ensure that AU institutions remain aligned with the legal and moral obligations enshrined in the Union’s founding charter. Lakhal emphasized, “Her extensive experience in AU affairs, spanning over a decade, will serve as a crucial advantage in countering the ongoing Moroccan attempts to distort and dilute Africa’s principled stance on Western Sahara.”

Algeria’s position on Western Sahara remains unequivocal: it is a case of blatant colonial occupation, an unresolved decolonization issue that falls squarely within the remit of international law. Morocco’s role as an occupying power has been systematically exposed, and no amount of political subterfuge can alter the legal reality that Western Sahara remains a non-self-governing territory awaiting its long-overdue referendum on independence. “The challenge for Algeria within the AU is not to create a new consensus on Western Sahara, as the matter is already settled within international legal frameworks, but rather to ensure that the AU’s decisions and actions remain in strict adherence to these principles,” Lakhal asserted.

Beyond the election of Hadadi, the recent AU summit took another significant step toward reinforcing justice on the continent by adopting a resolution classifying slavery, forced displacement, and colonialism as crimes against humanity. This resolution, initially championed by a coalition of nations and formally introduced by Togo, provides a fresh legal framework that could further embolden efforts to address ongoing colonial injustices, including the situation in Western Sahara.

Moreover, the AU’s adoption of 2024 as the Year of Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations signals a renewed commitment to addressing the historical wrongs inflicted upon African nations and the diaspora. This thematic focus, which encompasses issues of slavery, colonialism, and systemic racial injustices, is expected to open multiple avenues to highlight the plight of the Sahrawi people. “Throughout the year, international forums, AU-led initiatives, and global discussions will provide ample opportunities to underscore Morocco’s continued colonial occupation of Western Sahara, much to Rabat’s growing frustration,” Lakhal remarked.

As the year unfolds, it is evident that Morocco will find itself increasingly isolated within the African Union, as the broader discourse on historical injustices inevitably draws attention to its illegal presence in Western Sahara. The tide of African solidarity, reinforced by Algeria’s renewed leadership role within AU institutions, is expected to further expose Morocco’s untenable position.

 

 

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