the “gifts” of reconciliation to forget the quarrels – L’Express

“If he does not announce a strong gesture on Western Sahara, he will have come for nothing,” already indicated a Moroccan source, on the eve of the highly anticipated speech by the French President of the Republic on a state visit to Morocco since Monday October 28. For Moroccans, this question is integral to their identity. For Pierre Vermeren, author of Morocco in 100 questions (Ed. Tallandier, 2020), “Moroccans were expecting a symbolic gesture but also commitments from France”.

It’s done. The French president clarified and reaffirmed his position of July 30 where he supported the Moroccan solution in this disputed area. This October 29, in front of a packed and conquered Parliament, Emmanuel Macron assured that “the present and the future of this territory are part of the framework of Moroccan sovereignty”. A declaration supplemented by the commitment to investments in this region, where Morocco has made significant development efforts in recent years. Of this desert expanse, located in the south of the country, the kingdom today controls 80%, the remaining 20% ​​being in the hands of the Polisario Front, supported by Algiers. A conflict that has remained unresolved for half a century. There remains the desire for a consulate on site, which the French president has not yet mentioned. But maybe he wants to save some marbles for the future? Emmanuel Macron proposed to Mohammed VI to sign a new bilateral “strategic framework” in 2025 in Paris on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Declaration which sealed Morocco’s independence from France.

Solidarity with the Palestinians

Another pledge given to the Moroccan kingdom: the conflict in the Middle East. After reaffirming support for Israel for the release of the hostages, Emmanuel Macron again called for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as an end to the delivery of weapons to Tel Aviv. While Morocco signed the Abraham Accords with the Jewish state, the country’s population, largely Muslim, widely expressed its solidarity with the Palestinians. A sensitive question in Morocco which, on the subject of the Middle East, practices a “at the same time” which extremely resembles… that of the French president. In a speech lasting around forty minutes, where much space was given to recalling this historic friendship, these two subjects were the most likely to generate tensions – apart from that of “football”, quipped the French president who was treated to a crowd bath in front of Parliament.

Before a meeting with French and Moroccan entrepreneurs, this speech, widely applauded by a long standing ovation of Moroccan deputies, marks the climax of a visit where symbols count as much as words. France had put together the finest possible delegation – Leïla Slimani, Teddy Riner, Eric Toledano, Audrey Azoulay among others – and Morocco pulled out all the stops, welcoming the presidential couple and the 122 members of the delegation with great fanfare. French. “Morocco is our natural ally in Africa,” says Jack Lang, president of the Arab World Institute who is part of the trip.

A few clouds in the Rabat sky…

The only clouds of the day to report were in the sky over Rabat. While every detail of this state visit has been thought out to the millimeter, controversies always end up taking over. On the French side, it is the unannounced presence in the composition of the official delegation of the controversial comedian, Yassine Belattar which is causing debate. His arrival in jogging sneakers did not fail to offend the Moroccan press…

Beyond the symbols, what will remain of this visit? The commitment to a lasting partnership, want to believe the different actors involved. During a new ceremony under the gaze of a visibly very satisfied French head of state, twenty-two contracts were signed in the energy field, with Patrick Pouyanné, boss of TotalEnergies, Rodolphe Saadé of CMA-CGM or Catherine McGregor from Engie. However, many declarations of intent remain with various French and Moroccan ministries. To prevent these beautiful declarations from remaining a dead letter, Emmanuel Macron announced the establishment of a joint monitoring committee whose first meeting must be held in January 2025. This new strategic framework thus makes Morocco the first country in the European Union with which there would be such proximity. “The Moroccans are not fooled, they know that after being rejected by Algeria, the French conveniently remember Morocco,” comments a local actor. The “gifts” of reconciliation – ten billion contracts and the recognition of Western Sahara – should nevertheless make us forget the years of estrangement.