Valérie Morales Attias is a resident in Morocco, a journalist and author, and she teaches at the École Supérieure de Journalisme in Paris.
Relations between the two countries have suffered from deep crises in recent years. While some glimmers now suggest a more relaxed atmosphere, a renewed commitment to the Sahara would seal a true reconciliation.
«At the same time, everything broke down
For the last ten years, diplomacy between France and Morocco has oscillated between reciprocal courtesy and fleeting tensions. These complicated relations took a new, more incisive turn in 2017. Everything seemed to be set for a very friendly announcement of Morocco’s importance to France. However, after this very important visit for the Kingdom, the beginning of a rapprochement policy between the French President and Alger was almost immediately followed. This conceptual «simultaneous» concept of the French President greatly annoyed Rabat, whose diplomatic relations with Algeria have been nonexistent since 2021, as Algeria broke off those relations over the question of the Sahara’s status. These ties maintained by France with Algeria then caused a significant setback for Morocco, shocked by the statements of the Élysée insisting on «Linked destinies» from Algeria and France, as well as on » invaluable human connections » woven through time…
These deteriorated relations between the two countries, a series of diplomatic blunders and deep irritations, the Élysée does not want to take them into account and refuses to discuss a diplomatic crisis with Morocco. Yet at this point, everything is over. Since March 2023, It is clear that tensions continue to grow between Paris and Rabat. The Moroccan authorities’ scathing response to Emmanuel Macron is proof of this, who claimed that his relationship with Mohammed VI was «friendly». On March 2, the press of the Kingdom had then rushed to report the words of the king’s entourage, insisting on the fact that «Our relations are neither good nor friendly». That has the merit of being clear.
Pressure on the Maghreb countries
Other crises have marked recent years, including the visa crisis. It all began in the fall of 2021 when France announced its intention to drastically reduce the number of visas granted to Moroccan travelers. Their number was halved, as was the case for Algerians and Tunisians. Paris was aiming to put pressure on the countries of the Maghreb. Morocco is clearly in the front line. It is accused of slowing down the reception of its irregular migrants on its territory, who are subject to expulsions from the French territory. By providing only a very limited number of documents necessary for their repatriation, the Kingdom has knowingly frozen these procedures. Paris, for its part, assumed its will to put pressure on its Mediterranean neighbors to increase their cooperation in managing migration flows. These tensions eventually subsided after the intervention last December by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna. « We have taken the measures, with our Moroccan partners, to restore a normal consular relationship », she assured. In response, Rabat welcomed this new direction that would «in the right sense».
The Pegasus scandals
Another case has not failed in recent years to complicate relations between France and Morocco. We are in 2019, at a time of status quo between the two countries, when the international press creates a diplomatic scandal by revealing an unexpected spying affair involving, according to specialists, the surveillance of some 50,000 people worldwide (women and politicians, journalists, human rights activists, etc.), including Emmanuel Macron himself, through a spyware called Pegasus, developed by an Israeli company. Several governments have been implicated, including that of Morocco. In the Kingdom, this accusation of espionage does not pass: « The involvement of the media and certain French circles in the genesis and promotion of the Pegasus affair could not have taken place without the involvement of the French authorities », glides to Young Africa a Moroccan diplomatic source. However, despite the inclement weather, the unique ties between France and Morocco remain strong.
Finally, the thaw
Against all expectations, the end of 2023 witnessed a warming between the two countries. What are the main reasons? According to Hasni Abidi, director of the Center for Studies and Research on the Arab World and the Mediterranean in Geneva, «The difficult rapprochement between Paris and Algiers largely explains the current easing of relations with Rabat. For Paris, its Algerian neighbor had many advantages, such as its proximity to the countries of the Sahel. But because of a lack of ability to reestablish relations with the African giant, Macron is once again showing leniency towards his rival, Morocco.» For many Moroccan observers, President Emmanuel Macron has made it clear: »It is impossible today to reconcile France with Algeria.For everyone, the President wishes to reestablish ties with Rabat. «staging» Perfectly orchestrated by Paris, according to Hasni Abidi, in reference to the mea culpa undertaken by the French ambassador in Morocco, Christophe Lecourtier. In the Moroccan press:« What a waste of our part » he declared, regretting the harsh visa policy that was so difficult to obtain in 2021. The détente thus seems to be re-establishing itself between the two diplomatic services, based largely on the «impossible» rapprochement between France and Algeria. But Christophe Lecourtier has another explanation. He specifies that the unjust visa restriction, lifted almost a year ago, is a policy that has «Deeply damaged and the image and influence of France. You cannot manage a relationship as intimate as that between France and Morocco with statistics.». These statements by the diplomat were well received in Morocco for their right value. Moreover, the strategic economic and political interests between the two countries are numerous. Another positive sign: the return of an ambassador from Morocco to France. The post had been vacant for a year after the departure of the previous diplomat, Mohamed Benchaâboun. Today, it is held by the relevant Samira Sitaïl, former director of information for the public television channel 2M. The first woman in this position, she is also known for her outspokenness.
The Sahara dossier currently under resolution?
The issue of the Moroccan Sahara is fundamental for the Kingdom. It represents the most important point of its diplomacy in the world. In reality, this dossier could well be the main reproach that Rabat is making to Paris for not having aligned itself clearly with the United States, Spain, Germany and Israel. «The only decision that would ensure the stability and prosperity of the entire region. This decision is the recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara.» The Moroccan press, which is relentless on the subject, has made it clear. Emmanuel Macron has so far refused to make any changes on this point. Proof of this is the total silence of the French President on this subject during his public speeches. Several possible explanations for this: there is much talk in Morocco of the French disappointment at the new regional and international alliances of Morocco taking a direction that does not align with French interests. The most frequently cited example is that of Morocco’s strong diplomatic, political and economic dynamic deployed in Africa, traditionally a French sphere of influence.
However, despite real differences and haphazard interpretations, the new French ambassador, Christophe Lecourtier, recently reaffirmed on the Moroccan public television channel France’s support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara. «We will be a constant, loyal, creative, and dynamic ally of what Morocco undertakes and pursues,», he specified. We will accompany (…) the next steps so that this plan can be shared on an international scale.« He declared recently. If it is established that France supported the Moroccan position at the UN, the new prospects are more promising for Morocco on its main objective. French support could rise by one notch, according to Christophe Lecourtier. A resumption of bilateral negotiations between the two countries regarding the Sahara would finally be topical.
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