French Minister Rachida Dati Makes Historic Visit to Western Sahara

Dati's trip marks the first by a French minister to the disputed territory, signaling France's support for Morocco's sovereignty claims.

Rachida Dati, France's Minister of Culture, visited Laayoune and Dakhla in Western Sahara to inaugurate cultural projects, calling the trip 'historic.'
This is the first official visit by a French government minister to the region, which Morocco claims as part of its 'southern provinces.'
The visit follows French President Emmanuel Macron's endorsement of Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, a shift from France's previous support for UN-led processes.
Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, has been contested for decades between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front seeking independence.
Dati emphasized the cultural and symbolic significance of the trip, including the launch of a French cultural center and a cinema institute annex in the region.