Sahrawi Diplomat Malainin Lakhal Critiques French Involvement, Morocco’s Claims Over Western Sahara

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | November 13th, 2024 — During a session at the 27th edition of the International Book Fair of Algiers (SILA), Sahrawi diplomat and writer Malainin Lakhal underscored the continuing significance of the Western Sahara issue within the international system, labeling it as Africa’s last colony.

Lakhal attributed the persistence of this colonial situation not only to Morocco but also to France, highlighting the historical ties between Morocco’s Makhzen regime and French colonialism. He argued that this regime, which he described as a “dagger planted by French colonialism in the back of North Africa,” was intentionally designed by French General Lyautey to safeguard French interests in the region, particularly in light of the resource wealth that could enable the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) to rival the European Union.

Lakhal lamented Morocco’s compliance with France’s refusal to decolonize Western Sahara, despite widespread international support for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination. As vice-representative of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) to the African Union (AU), Lakhal also criticized France’s actions within the United Nations Security Council, where he believes France has actively blocked the implementation of international law concerning the Sahrawi right to a referendum. This right was first recognized during the Spanish occupation and reiterated after the 1991 ceasefire agreement between Morocco and the Polisario Front, under the supervision of the UN and the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the AU’s predecessor.

The Polisario Front: Unyielding in Its Quest for Self-Determination

Lakhal made it clear that the Polisario Front, the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people, does not take directives from external forces, whether from France or the United States. He criticized the 2020 move by then-President Donald Trump to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, which was later rescinded by the Biden administration. Additionally, Lakhal pointed out that both Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and French President Emmanuel Macron have recently endorsed Morocco’s autonomy plan for the region, a stance that has attracted significant international criticism.

Challenging Morocco’s Claims Over Western Sahara

Ahmed Mohamed Nafai, President of the Union of Sahrawi Journalists and Writers, contributed to the debate by asserting that Western Sahara is not Moroccan territory and that Morocco has no legal or moral right to propose or impose an autonomy plan on the Sahrawi people. Nafai reminded attendees that both the United Nations and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as well as the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), have all rejected Morocco’s sovereignty claims over the region. He emphasized that Morocco’s desire to control the area stems from its intention to exploit the valuable natural resources of Western Sahara, which belong to the Sahrawi people.

The Issue Between Algeria and Morocco

Saïd Ayachi, Chairman of the Algerian National Committee for Solidarity with the Sahrawi People (CNASPS), offered clarification on the broader political context, explaining that the dispute between Algeria and Morocco is not fundamentally about the Western Sahara issue but rather the fallout from the 1994 terrorist attacks in Marrakech. Ayachi recounted that Morocco falsely accused Algerians of being responsible for the attacks, leading to the expulsion of Algerian nationals and the subsequent closure of the border. He stated that Algeria’s actions were merely a response to Morocco’s provocative measures, reinforcing the border closure despite Morocco’s repeated calls for its lifting.

In conclusion, the debate highlighted the international consensus that the Western Sahara issue is one of decolonization and the right to self-determination, with various African and global institutions affirming the Sahrawi people’s right to decide their future.

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