Algeria: “France Should Stop Supporting Morocco's Occupation of Western Sahara”

Foreign Minister, Ramtane Lamamra, described the Western Sahara crisis, as one of the most important files that cause the controversy and contentious conflict between Algeria and France, and called upon France to contribute to the solution of the issue, with the support of Sahrawi people self-determination, and to stop supporting the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara.

Lamamra strongly responded to his French counterpart, who avoided to answer a question that was asked, on Tuesday, in a joint press conference of the two Foreign Ministers, about Paris absolute support of Morocco in the Western Sahara issue, as the French diplomatic official only said: “Concerning Western Sahara, France did not change it position, and we support the idea of ​​enabling the MINURSO to exercise its functions. We have seen tensions that we can not ignore, and we were sometimes criticized for this endeavour, although it meant to calm dawn the situation”.

Lamamra was firm in his response, and said: “Western Sahara issue is based on the liquidation of colonialism, and France should work to enable the Saharawi people to self-determination. We continue to hope that President François Hollande administration will provide effective assistance to the region, in order to resolve this issue, in the framework of international legitimacy, and in the light of respect for the United Nations position on decolonization”.

“Jean-Marc Ayrault, was appoint at the head of the French Foreign Ministry, only a few weeks ago, but the conflict in the Western Sahara erupted since 40 years ago,  and it floats from time to time on the surface in our political dialogue.”

Lamamra asserted, about Paris request of not allowing the Western Sahara file to become a stumbling block for the friendship between Algeria and France: “I’m not a historian, but I cannot hide that the Saharawi conflict, is one of the most prominent points of disagreement between Algeria and French foreign policies.”

Lamamra continued his testaments, that were not pleasing for the French guest, by adding: “We believe that France will find a role that can be in the level of its history, capabilities and responsibilities in the support and leadership of the course that allows the Maghreb region to move forward towards a common and united destiny, with respect for the inherent right of the Saharawi people to self-determination”, and he concluded by saying, “We are in a circumstance that requires us to avoid hesitating to say that the worst does not provide security, and it is not the fate of our region.”

Paris Dropped the Charge of Terrorism on Muslims

Concerning the spread of the phenomenon of Islamophobia in France, after the recent terrorist attacks, the French diplomatic official said; “France is committed to religious freedom, and we want to ensure that for everyone, and this is the role of the state”.

“Terrorist attacks were carried out by people who exploit Islam in order to kill, but the majority of Muslims in France have nothing to do with terrorism, and there are Muslim victims of the terrorist bombings.”

“French Interior Ministry has taken measures to protect the various places of worship”. 

Lamamra refuted the warnings to Algerians to avoid travelling abroad, especially to Europe, and said, “It is not our tradition to close the doors before Algerians, but we will protect their dignity in all countries of the world.”

Emphasis on a Political Solution in Libya

Ayrault said about the Libyan crisis; “There is no other option but a political solution to the Libyan crisis, and there is an urgent need for the installation of a national unity government, to take over the reins of the country. For Libya, we see that there is no other solution but a political solution to the crisis there, because the situation is serious. France supports the national unity government in Libya, and I have met in my recent visit to Tunisia its President Faiz Sarraj, and he told me his desire to appoint the government in Tripoli “.

For his part, Lamamra said; “We support the UN process to resolve the Libyan crisis and preserve the unity of this country, and launch the Libyan reconciliation to save this country from the crisis, and to pave the way for the international community to be able to offer its assistance.”