Emmanuel Macron addresses the Moroccan population to reaffirm his support after the earthquake and reject certain "controversies"
Emmanuel Macron, President of France, on Tuesday addressed a message to the Moroccan population through the social network X, formerly known as Twitter, to show his solidarity after the terrible earthquake suffered, but also referring to the diplomatic relationship between the two nations in order to oppose certain "controversies" raised around the existing bilateral link.
The French country offered to help the North African nation with assistance and rescue work after the earthquake, which has so far left more than 3,000 dead and more than 5,600 injured, but the Moroccan state has so far declined to accept it because it believes that the aid provided by the four countries currently working on the ground, namely Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and the United Kingdom, is sufficient for the time being. The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, has already indicated that the best assistance now is useful and necessary, and that massive aid should be avoided, as it could undermine good coordination.
Marocaines, Marocains,
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 12, 2023
Nous sommes à vos côtés. pic.twitter.com/0gyKVuxaIM
"France is shocked by what happened on Friday night, by this terrible earthquake, and our thoughts are obviously with the dead, their families and the injured," Emmanuel Macron began by saying in a message on the social networking site X. The French president also sent the condolences of all French people for the dead victims of the earthquake.
In his message, Macron denounced the "controversies that have no place in the relationship" between the two nations and called for respect for the victims. So far, Rabat has not yet accepted the aid offered by Paris, following the devastating earthquake that had its epicentre in the region of Al-Haouz in the early hours of Friday to Saturday, and which hit several other enclaves such as Taroudant, Marrakech, Chichaoua, Ouarzazate and Casablanca.
The French president took the opportunity to avoid controversial speeches, particularly in the French media, which have wrongly suggested that Morocco is blocking and refusing French aid, as several media outlets and analysts have pointed out.
Regarding the various interpretations surrounding the French offer of aid and Morocco's alleged "refusal" of it, the French head of state stressed: "At this moment, which is obviously a time of pain, but also of action and solidarity, I would like to say a few simple words. In recent days I have seen a lot of polemics that have no place here". "I would like all the polemics that try to divide and complicate things at this tragic moment to stop out in respect for everyone," Macron said.
From various points of view, it is regrettable that Emmanuel Macron did not use official diplomatic channels or even the Moroccan media to launch this message, which has a certain political tinge and seeks to reject any controversy or polemic regarding this issue. This comes at a time when diplomatic relations between France and Morocco are not at their best due to issues such as the refusal of Moroccan visas and the French position on a very important issue for the Moroccan kingdom, namely territorial integrity and recognition of the Moroccan status of Western Sahara.
"It is obviously up to His Majesty the King and the Moroccan government, in a totally sovereign manner, to organise international aid, and we are therefore at the disposal of their sovereign choice", declared the French president, who added: "We are at their side, today and tomorrow".
"This is from the first second what we do in a completely normal way and that is why I would like that all the controversies that divide, that complicate things in this moment that is already so tragic, can be silent out of respect for everyone," he added.
"We will be there for the long term on the humanitarian level, on the medical level, for reconstruction, for cultural and patrimonial aid, in all areas where the Moroccan people and their authorities consider us useful," he added.
The Moroccan state had already announced that it had accepted the aid of the four countries that are now working on the ground to help the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces and the emergency services of the North African country in rescue, assistance and rehabilitation work. The North African country accepted the cooperation of Spain, the United Kingdom, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, but did not ask for help from other countries, such as France or the United States, for example, which also offered to collaborate.
Meanwhile, the French president recalled the existing funding for associations and NGOs present in Morocco that contribute to relief and emergency work, and said they would continue to do so. Paris has announced five million euros in aid for NGOs present in the country and contributing to the relief effort, as reported by media outlets such as La Vie Eco and Hespress.
"We will be there for the long term in humanitarian, medical, reconstruction, cultural and heritage aid, in all the areas in which the Moroccan people and their authorities consider we will be useful", said Emmanuel Macron.
It is worth noting that some French media adopted an undiplomatic attitude towards Morocco shortly after the earthquake. They seem perplexed by the Kingdom's silence in the face of France's offer of aid, while ignoring the fact that Morocco has not yet responded to offers from many other countries. Insinuations have been made, going so far as to describe this "silence" as "rejection".
