{"id":9056,"date":"2024-11-01T09:40:55","date_gmt":"2024-11-01T08:40:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dzwatch.dz\/?p=9056"},"modified":"2024-11-01T09:40:56","modified_gmt":"2024-11-01T08:40:56","slug":"western-sahara-frances-diplomatic-shift-stemming-from-sensitive-information-obtained-by-morocco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dzwatch.dz\/?p=9056","title":{"rendered":"Western Sahara: France\u2019s Diplomatic Shift Stemming from Sensitive Information Obtained by Morocco"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Paris<\/em> – France\u2019s recent diplomatic shift in support of Morocco\u2019s controversial “autonomy” plan for Western Sahara may be tied to sensitive information allegedly obtained by Morocco without French authorization. This revelation, reported by Afrik.com<\/em>, highlights growing international criticism and hints at potential isolation for France in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A recent article titled “Western Sahara: French-Moroccan Diplomacy under Emmanuel Macron Influenced by Pegasus?”<\/em> explores the questions surrounding this “sudden diplomatic shift.” The piece suggests that French President Emmanuel Macron\u2019s backing of Morocco\u2019s sovereignty claims may stem from fallout related to the Pegasus spyware scandal. Journalist H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Bailey recaps how, in 2021, Le Monde<\/em> and other media outlets disclosed evidence that Macron and high-ranking officials may have been surveilled by Moroccan intelligence via the Pegasus spyware, developed by an Israeli company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Observers speculate that France\u2019s surprising policy shift may relate to sensitive material obtained during this espionage episode. Bailey points out that the Pegasus scandal left Macron visibly shaken, especially upon discovering that his personal and official phone numbers\u2014along with those of then-Prime Minister \u00c9douard Philippe and 14 other ministers\u2014were likely targeted by Moroccan intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The article also highlights setbacks Morocco faced in French courts over defamation claims associated with its alleged use of Pegasus. It draws parallels between Macron\u2019s stance and a similar shift by Spain\u2019s Prime Minister, Pedro S\u00e1nchez, who moved to support Morocco’s autonomy plan following allegations of Pegasus-based surveillance targeting Spanish figures, including his spouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Afrik.com<\/em> cites local media claims that these recordings may have influenced S\u00e1nchez\u2019s decision to back Morocco\u2019s claim. Spanish political circles labeled this shift a “diplomatic disaster,” an interpretation that is resurfacing in analyses of Macron\u2019s change in policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Economic factors also contribute to the evolving relationship between France and Morocco. Afrik.com<\/em> notes that the economic ties between the two nations, valued in the billions of euros, have intensified post-Pegasus, aligning both countries over regional interests despite international law and historical French neutrality on Western Sahara. According to the outlet, Macron\u2019s support for Moroccan “sovereignty” represents a “historic break” from France\u2019s previous stance of neutrality, raising questions about France\u2019s adherence to international law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As French media close to Macron suggest, Paris has limited reason to “fully bet on Morocco,” given its governance issues, social inequalities, and oligarchic structures. However, France appears to prioritize Morocco in its African strategy, potentially sidelining longstanding commitments to international law and human rights principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Afrik.com concludes that this shift signals a new direction in French foreign policy, one where economic realism outweighs traditional diplomatic principles. With growing international criticism, France may find itself isolated on the Western Sahara issue, particularly concerning its commitment to the principle of national sovereignty\u2014a value once central to its diplomatic identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For further insights, visit DZWATCH.DZ<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Author:<\/strong> Nor-Eleslam<\/p>\n\n\n\n

France Morocco Western Sahara diplomacy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Paris – France\u2019s recent diplomatic shift in support of Morocco\u2019s controversial “autonomy” plan for Western Sahara may be tied to sensitive information allegedly obtained by Morocco without French authorization. This revelation, reported by Afrik.com, highlights growing international criticism and hints at potential isolation for France in the region. A recent article titled “Western Sahara: French-Moroccan …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9057,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","iawp_total_views":5,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9056","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-algeria"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dzwatch.dz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9056","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dzwatch.dz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dzwatch.dz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dzwatch.dz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dzwatch.dz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9056"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dzwatch.dz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9056\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9058,"href":"https:\/\/dzwatch.dz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9056\/revisions\/9058"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dzwatch.dz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9057"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dzwatch.dz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9056"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dzwatch.dz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9056"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dzwatch.dz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9056"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}