French President Emmanuel Macron is in Morocco this Monday for a three-day state visit hosted by King Mohammed VI. The visit aims to strengthen ties after years of tension between the two nations, particularly over France’s stance on the disputed Western Sahara.
Macron – who was invited by King Mohammed VI in September – will be accompanied by his wife Brigitte and the new Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
This marks Macron's second visit since 2018 and offers what the Moroccan royal palace described as "a renewed and ambitious vision covering several strategic sectors".
Morocco, a former French colony, has maintained economic ties with France since gaining independence in 1955. However, tensions have escalated in recent years, particularly over France's stance on the Western Sahara region.
The former Spanish colony is largely controlled by Morocco but claimed by the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which in 2020 declared a "self-defence war" and seeks the territory's independence.
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Moroccan 'sovereignty'
In July, Macron sought to ease tensions by backing Morocco's autonomy plan for the region, calling it the "only basis" for resolving the conflict.
"The present and future of Western Sahara are part of Moroccan sovereignty," Macron said at the time.
Morocco welcomed this diplomatic shift, having already gained US recognition of its claim over Western Sahara in exchange for normalising ties with Israel in 2020.
Despite Morocco's stance, the United Nations still considers Western Sahara a "non-self-governing territory" and has maintained a peacekeeping mission there since 1991 with the aim of organising a referendum on the territory's future.
However, Rabat has consistently rejected any vote that includes independence as an option.
Economic opportunities
Macron's visit is expected to open the door to future economic deals. Morocco is a major destination for French investment in Africa, with over 900 French subsidiaries operating there.
Of the 40 companies listed on France's CAC 40 stock market index, 33 are active in Morocco.
French engineering firm Egis is set to extend Morocco's high-speed rail line from Kenitra to Marrakesh, while French energy company Engie is building a seawater desalination plant in Dakhla, in partnership with Moroccan firm Nareva.
Engie is also constructing a wind farm in the region.
The Moroccan Sahara, which has vast solar and wind energy resources, is a strategic area for economic growth in Morocco, which is moving towards renewable energy and hopes to find a place in the green hydrogen market.
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Immigration
Macron’s visit could also help to address ongoing issues, particularly around immigration and visa policies. In 2021, France reduced the number of visas issued to nationals from several Maghreb countries, including Morocco, but lifted these restrictions in December 2022.
Morocco recently expressed readiness to accept the return of its citizens who have migrated illegally to Europe, though it criticised host countries for delays in repatriation.
French lawmakers have called for stricter migration policy after a Moroccan irregular migrant was arrested on suspicion of killing a 19-year-old French student last month.
The suspect had been ordered deported after a prior rape conviction, but his return was delayed due to issues with paperwork. Rabat later stated that the deportation request was not correctly issued.
"Morocco is ready, but is the other party ready?" Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said at a press conference on 8 October, adding that Rabat did not "need to receive lessons" on combating irregular migration.
"Morocco is ready, but is the other party ready?" Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita told a press conference on 8 October, adding that Rabat did not "need to receive lessons" on the fight against irregular migration.
(with AFP)
