On May 17, 2026, reports emerged that the French ambassador to Morocco, Christophe Lecourtier, made statements during a diplomatic event in Rabat that appeared to endorse Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara as the only viable solution. The remarks, which have not been officially confirmed by the French Foreign Ministry, were interpreted by some observers as a shift in France's traditionally neutral stance on the disputed territory.
Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, has been the subject of a decades-long conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the region. The United Nations considers it a 'non-self-governing territory' and has called for a referendum on self-determination, which has yet to be held. Morocco controls most of the territory and proposes autonomy under its sovereignty.
France has historically maintained a balanced position, supporting UN-led negotiations without explicitly endorsing Morocco's autonomy plan. However, Lecourtier's reported comments, if accurate, would mark a significant departure. The Polisario Front's representative to Europe, Oubi Bouchraya, condemned the remarks, stating they 'undermine international law and UN resolutions.'
The French embassy in Rabat has not issued a statement, and the French Foreign Ministry declined to comment when contacted. The incident comes amid renewed UN efforts to restart stalled talks between the parties, with Staffan de Mistura, the UN envoy for Western Sahara, scheduled to visit the region in June 2026.
