Morocco has never given up its age-old attraction to Africa. As early as the 16th century, Sultan Ahmed Al-Mansour, nicknamed Ad Dahbi,» Yellow perch »had pushed the boundaries of the Sherifian Empire as far as present-day Mali and the River Niger. King Hassan II acted on the continent in a more civilised manner, in concert with France. Today, Morocco's Africanist vocation is inescapable, while the turbulence facing Emmanuel Macron's France in the region is very real. Is the Franco-Moroccan «pact» still relevant in these territories?
Morocco is making its moves on the African chessboard. The royal strategy has chosen a mode of action that is original to say the least, often described as positive «third-worldism». This involves a new concept of cooperation based on «South-South» agreements. In this regard, the Kingdom has assets, including a state religion shared by half of West Africa. This is a significant step towards genuine heartfelt leadership. Major Moroccan bosses have been in on the act from the start. In 2018, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Moroccan employers' organisation, the head of the CGEM (General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises), Miriem Bensaleh-Chaqroun, told us that »The guiding principle of South-South relations remains the discovery of local partners with whom we can establish a continental value chain and genuine economic diplomacy. We are committed to developing these alliances, not as a giver of lessons, but as true partners.»
Poaching on French «lands»?
It is clear that France is now competing with Morocco on sub-Saharan lands. The Elysée thinks that the warning is significant enough to open up with Morocco «a special dialogue on African topics. In accordance with the enduring principle that a partner is better than a competitor, France officially supports Moroccan businesses in their conquest of the Continent, bearing in mind that for the Kingdom this represents a major challenge regarding its rather limited entrepreneurial and financial capacity when faced with formidable China, South Africa, and Algeria, which do not hesitate to deploy the necessary means to slow down Moroccan efforts.
Despite the difficulties and according to the World Investment Report 2019, the expansion of the kingdom's economic actors on the continent is intensifying: «Moroccan companies are continuing to establish a presence in West Africa, with their primary target being the Ivory Coast, a fruitful market of opportunities which accounts for a quarter of the Kingdom's cross-border foreign direct investment.» The figures put forward are of particular interest to France, which is closely monitoring the Moroccan offensive. This was already significant back in 2015. That year, the report by the French National Assembly on Ivory Coast pointed out that »Morocco secured the title of top foreign investor there, with 22 % of the approvals issued by the Investment Promotion Centre of Abidjan, compared with 16% for France.». New competition is therefore in full swing. This is a reality stated frankly today by French bosses, who acknowledge the kingdom's remarkable entry into the Ivorian economy. For them, it is urgent to maintain the French grip on key markets and preserve local influence. From now on, they will have to reckon with the charm offensive deployed by the Élysée, which is sparing no effort today.
While the French presence is being challenged in Africa...
On Emmanuel Macron's side, following several tactical blunders and a tone deemed «condescending» which has offended Africans, the President has his work cut out to restore trust. He quickly needs to reassess his local policy and change his perception of the region. Specialists insist on France's willingness to ally itself with Morocco on this thorny African issue: «A strategic priority» confirmed in Rabat the French Minister for Foreign Trade, recalling the joint ambition that unites the two states on the subject, whilst not forgetting to gently criticise Moroccan progress along the way. Indeed, according to an official French report published in 2020, » In recent years, Rabat has stepped up diplomatic actions with a view to strengthening its economic presence in Africa, but its trade with African countries remains low.» Just one way among others for President Macron to play down his own political failures in the region. But there is a more urgent matter: curbing China on the continent, and also poking Russia, which is gaining ground and knows so well how to avoid interfering in national politics, unlike France, which a little too often meddles in local political affairs. It is a fact: there is grumbling on the continent. The editorialist Amyne Asmlal, writing in the daily newspaper Al Akhbar, confirms the unease: « Day after day, France is gradually losing what remains of its influence in Africa. The former colonial power is now facing a clear anti-French sentiment. The haughty attitude, to say the least, of the current president, Emmanuel Macron, does nothing to improve this situation. He is only further stirring up anti-French reactions through his provocative actions and his use of a language with colonialist overtones that is now obsolete. Point of no return? No, fortunately. Emmanuel Macron is reacting and calling for a radical change of mindset, arguing for the transition from a «logic of aid to that of solidarity and partnership investment». The international press then picked up on the theme: Macron urged French companies to go «to fight» for this « competition ground »what has become of the African continent. «I will no longer defend companies that are not prepared to fight», he launched, calling to a «revival of the French economic world». Then, «If new partners set up camp and take positions that used to be ours, it is precisely because they take African countries seriously.», launches the president. A nod to Morocco? Perhaps. It is hard to decide on the reality of the respective ambitions. Franco-Moroccan competition or alliance in sub-Saharan Africa? Both, Captain...
Valérie Morales Attias lives in Morocco, is a journalist and author, and teaches at the École Supérieure de Journalisme de Paris.
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