French deputy and mayor for Woippy, François Grosdidier, highlighted the relevance of the autonomy initiative proposed by Morocco to resolve, for once and all, the Sahara question, which has been in dispute for decades. "Given Morocco's legitimacy on the Sahara, this autonomy initiative, under the kingdom's sovereignty, is wise and generous, and provides an honourable way out for all the parties," Grosdidier told the press.

He stressed that he supported Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara, and added that most of his colleagues in the French Parliament shared his view. He is also vice-president of the French-Moroccan friendship group at the French parliament

But he said there was a need to support the Moroccan autonomy initiative to get out of this issue which was impairing international relations.

On those who "hold people in Tindouf" (southwest of Algeria), he underlined that with this initiative “their approach is useless, there is no point (for them) in continuing and they are no longer in the sense of history.”

“There is no reason that this population remains in Tindouf”, said Grosdidier, who is on a visit to the region.

He denounced “the ideological control of Polisario over the population in Tindouf where political pluralism does not exist.”

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