Macron’s Moroccan Gambit: A Diplomatic Power Play in the Name of French Interests

At the head of a large delegation, the French President, Emmanuel Macron, began a state visit to Morocco on October 28, where he will stay until October 30. A trip across the Mediterranean by the head of the Elysée, which marks the warming of relations between Paris and Rabat, after several years of estrangement. Especially around the question of Western Sahara, which is raised during this visit, and which has seen an evolution in the situation of Paris which has recognized, since last July, the sovereignty of the country of Mohammed VI over this disputed territory between Rabat and the separatists of the Polisario Front. Who are supported in their struggle for self-determination, by Algeria who has difficulty with this change of heart on the part of France who, as a result, side entirely with the Shereefian Kingdom on the Sahrawi question . Yet, by choosing to move closer to Rabat at the risk of angering Algiers, France has undoubtedly given its reasons for the citizen lambda ignore In any case, at the time of the thaw, it seems clear that France has much to gain from warming its relations with the Shereef Kingdom.

This presidential trip is an opportunity for large French companies to establish strategic business partnerships in Morocco

Already, there are no less than forty heads of large French companies in President Macron’s delegation, thanks to this trip to Moroccan soil where major contracts are announced. And this, in various sectors ranging from transport to internal security including, among others, energy, water, education, but also the military field. This shows that there are important interests at stake here And Rabat is more worthwhile for the French president because beyond diplomatic questions, Morocco is the first destination for French investors in Africa. As it turns out, only interests guide your steps. And at a time of multi-polarity where Morocco is attracting more and more foreign investors, France needs to strengthen its position in a country which, in addition to the immense potential it already offers, will host international events on large scale soon, such as the 2025 African Cup of Nations (CAN), and the 2030 Football World Cup together with Spain and Portugal. Suffice it to say that this presidential trip is an opportunity for large French companies to establish strategic business partnerships in the country of Mohammed VI, even if the diplomatic cold between Paris and Rabat against a background of strong tensions had not ended relations economic between the two countries. And this is even more important because after losing the Sahel under the conditions we know, which created a deficit for some French companies, France cannot afford the luxury of losing a partner like Morocco which, in many ways , presenting itself as an economic giant on the African continent. And who knows if Paris, by getting closer to Rabat which, by the way, maintains good relations with the countries of the Sahel, could not work to signal its return to these sub-Saharan countries more or less, in the context a rising arrow of anti-French sentiment on the black continent?

This state visit promises to be a new beginning for Paris and Rabat

Beyond that, in a global context generally marked by the war in Ukraine with the results we know, nothing says that Morocco could not be a solution to Europe’s energy crisis, in a context where Russia has significantly reduced its gas deliveries to the Old Country. Continent. In any case, this state visit which aims to show the restoration of trust between the two countries, promises to be a new departure for Paris and Rabat which have not always been the smell of sanctity, during the two terms of President Macron. Especially after the affair incident Pegasus, named after this spyware used by the Moroccan intelligence services, allegedly to infiltrate the phones of high-ranking French dignitaries including the President of the Republic. A case that hit the headlines in 2021. But also after the policy of a significant reduction in the issuance of French visas to Morocco, which had contributed to a decline in the relationship between the two capitals. Between these two events and many others that were sources of tension, it seems that the recognition by Paris of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara has succeeded in easing tensions. Such is politics!

“The country”