**France Backs Moroccan Sovereignty Over Western Sahara, Angering Algeria**

In a significant geopolitical shift, French President Emmanuel Macron has declared support for Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, signaling a major change in France's stance and pledging French investments in the disputed territory. This statement was made during Macron's address to Morocco's parliament, where his remarks were met with approval and applause from lawmakers.

Western Sahara, a territory along Africa's north-western coast, has been a contested region for decades. Previously a Spanish colony, it is now largely controlled by Morocco, with a portion governed by the Algerian-backed Polisario Front. The Polisario Front claims to represent the indigenous Sahrawi people and advocates for the establishment of an independent state. Morocco's control of the territory has been contested by Algeria, which views Morocco's presence as unlawful.

Macron's statement aligns France with other nations such as Spain, the US, and Israel, which also support Morocco's claim. He emphasized that for France, "this territory's present and future fall under Morocco's sovereignty," and identified Morocco's plan for granting autonomy to Western Sahara as the "only basis" for achieving a fair and lasting political solution. This policy shift aims to mend French-Moroccan relations that had deteriorated following accusations of Moroccan espionage on Macron and France's stricter visa policies for Moroccan citizens.

However, Algeria has withdrawn its ambassador to Paris in response, expressing deep discontent with France's position. Algiers opposes Morocco’s claim, arguing it denies the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination. The Polisario Front condemned France’s support for what it describes as Morocco's "violent and illegal occupation."

Macron also addressed the broader topic of colonialism in his speech. He acknowledged the "dark parts" of shared history between Morocco and France but did not issue an apology for colonial actions. He highlighted that Morocco, even under a protectorate agreement, suffered from "the ambitions and the violence of colonial history."

In a sign of the strengthening relationship between France and Morocco, the countries have reportedly secured agreements on energy and infrastructure development, with Macron promising undetermined investments aimed at benefiting the local populations in Western Sahara.

The diplomatic move follows an invitation from King Mohammed VI of Morocco, who had called Macron’s shift in stance on Western Sahara a "significant" step. Despite France’s new position, the African Union remains the only international body recognizing Western Sahara as an independent state.