Franco-Moroccan relations face challenges amid territorial dispute
Moroccan political circles and analysts express doubts about the chances of a solid reconciliation between Morocco and France. Despite recent attempts at rapprochement, many believe that these efforts remain limited to mere 'positive' political messages without substantial action. The main obstacle to overcome is the recognition of the Moroccan Sahara.
As reported by Al-Arab, French President Emmanuel Macron conveyed his wishes to strengthen bilateral relations in a telegram to King Mohammed VI on the occasion of his 24th anniversary of his accession to the throne. While praising Morocco's achievements and modernisation under the King's reign, Macron stressed that France has always prioritised cooperation with Morocco.
However, there are doubts about the sincerity of these messages, especially given the absence of any indication of Macron's visit to the Kingdom, which was previously announced but never happened. Experts believe that concrete steps and decisions are essential, as recent French actions have affected Morocco's interests on a number of issues.
Professor Mohamed Lakrini, an expert in International Relations and Law, suggests that Macron needs to rectify his previous positions on Morocco, such as the prosecution of the Pegasus espionage case, visa restrictions for Moroccans, postponed official visits and the lack of communication between leaders; including ambiguity on the issue of Moroccan territorial integrity.
King Mohamed VI made it clear in his speeches that Morocco's friendship with other nations is conditional on respect for its sovereignty and territorial integrity. This became particularly evident after several countries, including the US, Spain, Germany and Israel, recognised Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.
Israel's recent official recognition of Moroccan sovereignty encouraged French political and academic elites to urge Macron to adopt a clearer policy on Morocco's territorial integrity. The lack of clarity in France's position on the Sahara issue has contributed to the diplomatic divergence between the two countries.
Former French Justice Minister and mayor of the seventh arrondissement of Paris, Rachida Dati, praised Morocco's autonomy initiative in the Sahara, acknowledging its positive impact on peace and development in the region that led to multiple international recognitions of Morocco's sovereignty.
However, the recent telegram sent by King Mohammed VI to President Macron on France's national day avoided addressing any issues related to Moroccan-French relations, reflecting the ongoing crisis.
Diplomatically, Morocco terminated the functions of its ambassador to France in January 2023, indicating the severity of tensions.
Despite Macron's attempts to use political and diplomatic speeches to resolve the crisis, Moroccan experts on international relations, such as Hisham Mu'tadid, argue that mere protocols and formal visits will not be enough to address the underlying political differences.
In particular, France seems uncomfortable with Morocco's participation in agreements with Israel and the US, along with Washington's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara. These actions have implications for Franco-Moroccan relations.
Political disputes between Morocco and France, particularly over the Sahara issue, remain a major challenge to fully restoring their bilateral relationship. Concrete actions and decisions are required to restore confidence and move forward positively.