France’s Shifting Stance on Western Sahara Threatens Diplomatic Isolation

The French-Moroccan diplomatic relationship took a contentious turn after Morocco used the Zionist-developed Pegasus spyware to monitor French officials, including Macron. Afrik.com references an article titled “Western Sahara: Is Macron’s Franco-Moroccan Diplomacy Under Pegasus Influence?” which outlines how Morocco’s espionage tactics may have swayed the Elysee’s diplomatic stance. Back in 2021, a coalition of international media, including Le Monde, revealed that President Macron’s phone, along with those of several French ministers, were potential targets of Moroccan intelligence surveillance using Pegasus. This revelation has cast a long shadow over Franco-Moroccan relations, with analysts speculating that Moroccan leverage over sensitive French data may explain the Elysee’s sudden endorsement of Morocco’s sovereignty claims.

Macron’s endorsement of Moroccan sovereignty in Western Sahara not only diverges sharply from France’s historical diplomatic neutrality but also defies international legal norms. Western Sahara remains a disputed territory under international law, with the UN recognizing the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination. France’s new position has sparked a wave of international criticism, with growing concerns that Paris may be abandoning long-held diplomatic principles for short-term geopolitical gains in Africa.

The ramifications of this shift extend beyond France. In Spain, Moroccan intelligence activities influenced Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, whose administration also reversed its stance to support Morocco’s autonomy plan. Afrik.com notes that the Pegasus scandal extended to Spain in 2022, where it was said that Morocco targeted prominent Spanish figures, including the wife of Prime Minister Sanchez. This surveillance operation is widely perceived as a factor in Spain’s subsequent alignment with Morocco, a diplomatic pivot labeled by Spanish lawmakers as a “disaster.” Many now question if the Pegasus spyware’s reach extends to shaping French policy similarly.

This reorientation in French foreign policy raises significant concerns about France’s future in the region and on the world stage. Domestically, Le Monde, a newspaper with close ties to the Elysee, expressed skepticism regarding France’s alignment with Morocco, warning of the potential consequences of relying on an ally marked by governance instability, powerful oligarchies, and deep social inequalities. Despite these concerns, France appears willing to risk its international commitments, possibly motivated by an economic agenda that favors lucrative Franco-Moroccan partnerships over adherence to the traditional French diplomacy of neutrality and respect for sovereignty.

France’s pivot also aligns with increased economic engagement with Morocco, especially in sectors linked to Western Sahara’s resources. This burgeoning economic relationship, while boosting bilateral trade, suggests that economic pragmatism may be taking precedence over France’s foundational values in its foreign policy framework. The economic stakes are high, with both countries engaging in billion-euro trade exchanges—a situation that Afrik.com suggests has eased diplomatic tensions over the Pegasus incident and shifted France’s focus from upholding sovereignty principles to securing economic benefits.

France’s endorsement of Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara reflects an unprecedented recalibration of its African strategy. However, the diplomatic gamble risks isolating Paris internationally. As France continues to align itself with Morocco’s controversial policies, other nations are raising questions about the Elysee’s long-term commitment to international law and the self-determination of the Sahrawi people. The global diplomatic community, alongside the UN, has emphasized the right of the Sahrawi people to determine their future, a stance France historically supported.