Overview

• French Culture Minister Rachida Dati visited Western Sahara, calling the trip 'historic' as the first by a French minister to the region.
• Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, is largely controlled by Morocco but claimed by the Algeria-backed Polisario Front seeking independence.
• Algeria criticized the visit as a violation of international law and accused France of supporting Morocco's claims over the disputed territory.
• France's recent endorsement of Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara marked a shift from its traditional support for UN-led resolutions, straining relations with Algeria.
• The UN considers Western Sahara a non-self-governing territory, with plans for a referendum on self-determination remaining unfulfilled since 1991.