France and Morocco seal their alliance at the risk of sacrificing the détente with Algeria
During an official visit to Rabat, the French head of government hardened his tone on the Western Sahara issue, asserting that Paris would draw all the consequences from it. This verbal escalation comes at the very moment when French-Algerian diplomacy was attempting a timid reconstruction after a year-long freeze.
The Inflexible Shift of French Diplomacy in the Maghreb
The statements by French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu from the Moroccan capital mark a turning point that could have heavy consequences for the regional geopolitical balance. In front of a gathering of Moroccan officials, the head of government chose to forcefully reaffirm France’s alignment with Rabat’s positions regarding sovereignty over Western Sahara. This stance, initially formalized by President Emmanuel Macron in the summer of 2024, was described as unalterable by the leader of the government. He notably emphasized that « France stands by Morocco loyally and faithfully, » promising that no shift would be tolerated in the future. This firm positioning consolidates a Paris-Rabat axis that had significantly strained in previous years, but it also seals a breach of neutrality that is very poorly received on the other side of the border.
An Enigmatic Phrase That Sounds Like a Warning
What appeared to be a simple reminder of French doctrine took a much more offensive turn when Sébastien Lecornu added an unprecedented phrase, asserting that his country would draw « all the consequences » from it. For analysts of the Maghreb region, this wording goes far beyond mere diplomatic courtesy toward the Moroccan host. It resembles a barely veiled message of firmness addressed directly to the Algerian authorities. By choosing to use these words in a climate where Algiers and Paris were painstakingly trying to re-establish communication channels, the Prime Minister is taking a deliberate risk of scuttling the rapprochement efforts initiated by diplomats on both sides of the Mediterranean. This escalation raises questions about the coherence of French foreign policy, oscillating between the search for historical reconciliation with Algeria and an exclusive strategic partnership with Morocco.
The Impossible Equation of French-Algerian Dialogue
Algiers’ reaction to this move from Morocco is unlikely to be long in coming, as the Sahrawi issue constitutes an absolute red line for Algerian diplomacy. The hopes for a gradual resumption of contacts, which were beginning to emerge after more than a year of near-total rupture, are thus dampened by this verbal display of force. The contrast is striking between official Parisian communiqués that regularly plead for an equal partnership with Algiers and the reality of the actions taken on the ground. The room for maneuver for proponents of bilateral normalization is shrinking rapidly, giving way to a growing mutual distrust that weakens all economic and security cooperation agreements in the Mediterranean basin.
Those Forgotten by Reasons of State
In the midst of these major geopolitical maneuvers, humanitarian considerations seem to have been completely overshadowed by the ministerial agenda. The situation of French journalist Christophe Gleizes, whose detention in Algeria has mobilized his family and press freedom organizations, is noticeably absent from the priorities displayed during this trip. Despite repeated appeals from his family and numerous personalities to secure his release, French diplomacy seems to choose discretion, or even withdrawal, on this sensitive issue. The firm stance adopted in Rabat by the Prime Minister contrasts cruelly with the silence surrounding the fate of his compatriot, illustrating once again that the protection of citizens abroad sometimes comes after the higher interests of realpolitik.
Source : El Watan, 18/07/2026
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