For approximately a month, persistent rumors have been spreading. Now, the information has been officially confirmed: France plans to extend its consular operations into Morocco’s southern regions. This action holds substantial symbolic and political importance, representing a tangible measure towards executing France’s acknowledgment of Morocco’s authority over the Sahara region.
As reported by Le360 and verified by a source at blog.Diawal>, a TLS Contact center—which handles visa applications for France—is set to launch in Laayoune this May. This facility will enable locals from Laayoune, Dakhla, Es-Semara, and other Saharan regions to apply for visas closer to home, eliminating the need to go to the French consulate in Agadir.
This choice marks a clear change in France’s diplomatic stance, reflecting recent declarations made by the French administration regarding the Sahara dispute. The establishment of a visa center in Laayoune serves more than just practical purposes; it is an integral component of a larger diplomatic initiative initiated through a letter President Emmanuel Macron addressed to King Mohammed VI on July 30, 2024. In his correspondence, Macron firmly stated that "the current and future status of Western Sahara should be considered within Morocco's sovereign jurisdiction," emphasizing further that autonomy under Moroccan rule constitutes, according to France, “the appropriate setting” for resolving this matter.
Following the announcement of their firm stance, Morocco’s Saharan regions experienced multiple visits from prominent French government representatives. In early February, Christophe Lecourtier, who serves as the French ambassador to Morocco, stayed for three days in Laayoune. Shortly after, on February 17th and 18th, Culture Minister Rachida Dati toured both Laayoune and Dakhla. Concluding these diplomatic missions, Gérard Larcher, the President of the Senate and one of France’s highest authorities, journeyed to the area on February 25th with the aim of reinforcing France’s formal acknowledgment of the Moroccan sovereignty over the territories.