On Western Sahara, the King of Morocco in search of support

On Saturday, in an unambiguous speech, Mohammed VI asked the international community to come out clearly in favor of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.

It is indeed "a clear message to everyone" that the King of Morocco sent on Saturday. During the speech of the Revolution Day of the King and the people, the Cherifian sovereign indicated that "the Sahara issue is the prism through which Morocco considers its international environment". Mohammed VI is issuing a veritable ultimatum to the international community, some countries of which are today very timid when it comes to positioning themselves on the Sahrawi dossier.

For several months, Moroccan pressure has intensified. If the Netherlands, for their part, came out in favor of the Moroccan autonomy plan, it was the case of Spain which was the most thorny. But at the end of an intense lobbying operation, Rabat managed to obtain from the Spanish head of government Pedro Sánchez public support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for Western Sahara, after a diplomatic crisis lasting almost fifteen months.

International positions change

But Mohammed VI wants much more from the international community. According to him, his position in favor of Morocco "is also clearly and simply the yardstick that measures the sincerity of the friendships and the effectiveness of the partnerships that it establishes". And the sovereign to be very clear on this subject: "As regards certain countries which are among our partners, traditional or new, whose positions on the Sahara issue are ambiguous, we expect them to clarify and review the substance of their positioning, in a way that is unmistakable".

A warning that sounds like a threat to certain countries, not mentioned by Mohammed VI. What we already know is that the United States is not concerned by this ultimatum, especially after Trump offered Mohammed VI recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. . Joe Biden, more timid, did not wish to reconsider the decision of his predecessor.

The output of the Moroccan king is not surprising. “We notice a series of changes internationally, several historically neutral countries having decided to position themselves, such as Spain or Germany”, explains a seasoned observer of the Cherifian kingdom. But Mohammed VI seems to expect more from certain partners, especially from France? Paris has already indicated that Morocco's plan for the region is "the most serious and realistic basis" for peace.