After the United States, France has condemned the attack claimed by the Polisario Front against the Moroccan city of Es Smara on Monday, which left a woman injured.
In an official statement released on May 7, the French Foreign Ministry said such acts constitute a direct threat to regional stability and risk undermining the political process supported by the United Nations Security Council.
France noted that the escalation comes at a particularly sensitive time, as diplomatic momentum surrounding the dispute over the Western Sahara has increasingly shifted in favour of Morocco’s autonomy plan.
According to Paris, armed actions and ceasefire violations could weaken ongoing UN-led efforts aimed at achieving a lasting political solution.
The Quai d’Orsay called on the Polisario Front to respect the ceasefire agreement and comply with UN Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2797 adopted on October 31, 2025.
In its statement, France also stressed the urgency of ending the prolonged conflict while renewing its support for mediation efforts conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.
French diplomacy further stated that Morocco’s autonomy initiative under Moroccan sovereignty now represents “the only credible and serious basis” for advancing toward a definitive settlement of the dispute.
Paris also requested that the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), in coordination with Moroccan authorities, “shed full light” on the circumstances surrounding the attack.
On Wednesday, the United States mission to the United Nations also condemned the attack carried out near the prison in Es Smara, which injured a civilian woman, according to an official statement released in New York.
The incident comes amid growing political debate in Washington over a tougher stance toward the Polisario leadership. Several members of Congress have introduced legislative proposals seeking to designate the movement as a terrorist organisation, citing allegations related to external support.
In the Senate, Ted Cruz called for a “firm” response, arguing that the organisation represents a threat to regional stability, thereby increasing diplomatic pressure on its supporters.
AK/lb/as/APA