Samira Sitaïl: “The recognition by Paris of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara is not a gift and the archives will reveal the belonging of this territory to the Cherifian kingdom”

Badr Tadlaoui
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10:51 – November 17, 2024

During an interview with TV5 Monde on Saturday November 16, Samira Sitaïl, current ambassador of Morocco to France, praised the official recognition by Paris of the kingdom’s sovereignty over the Sahara. “The archives that we will obtain will reveal the ownership of this territory [au royaume chérifien]», said the diplomat, adding that “Algeria is the main party to this conflict, which it artificially maintains.”

For her, “France has never been in opposition to Morocco on the question of the Sahara (…) A step has been taken. Paris’ recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara is not a gift.” She came from “broad deliberations which brought together all the goodwill of both sides”she pleaded.

Partition impossible

“The Sahara is Moroccan in its fullness and will remain so in its fullness”underlined Samira Sitaïl in response to the draft «partition» of the territory, “categorically” rejected by Rabat and proposed by the United Nations envoy for the Sahara, Staffan de Mistura who admitted having, “discreetly, resumed and reactivated the concept of territorial partition”according to his comments not made public in October. This project of «partition»impossible to achieve, “would make it possible, on the one hand, to create a (State) in the southern part and, on the other hand, to integrate the rest of the territory as a part of Morocco over which its sovereignty will be internationally recognized”, he argued. Except that Rabat has condemned any creation of a puppet entity in the Sahara since 1975.

The ambassador, who has occupied this strategic position since 2023, described France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty as a “historical event” in bilateral relations. According to her, this position “reflects a major step forward in the Sahara issue and consolidates the growing international support for the Moroccan autonomy proposal, deemed credible and realistic within the framework of the United Nations.”

During this exchange, the ambassador insisted on the importance of this gesture, “which demonstrates the solidity of the strategic partnership between Rabat and Paris.” She stressed that this recognition “opens the way to increased collaboration, not only in the diplomatic field, but also in the economic and cultural spheres.”

“The cause of Morocco has seen mobilization on an international scale”welcomed the ambassador.