France Condemns Polisario Front Attack on Smara

France has officially condemned a Polisario Front attack on the city of Smara that occurred on May 5, 2026, resulting in the injury of a civilian. The French mission to the UN warned that such hostilities threaten regional stability.

Key points

• The French UN mission stated the attack jeopardizes the negotiation process established by UN Security Council Resolution 2797.
• France reaffirmed its support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the primary basis for a political settlement.
• The French mission called for a comprehensive investigation into the incident in coordination with Moroccan authorities.
• The attack follows similar condemnations from the United States regarding the security situation in the region.

Why it matters

The condemnation by a major international power highlights the escalating security tensions in the Western Sahara and the potential impact on UN-led diplomatic negotiations.