French President Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by his spouse Brigitte Macron, will pay a state visit to Morocco from October 28-30, 2024, at the invitation of King Mohammed VI. This visit reflects the robust and long-standing relationship between the two nations, built on a foundation of deep-rooted partnership and mutual interests.
In a statement by the Moroccan Ministry of the Royal Household, Protocol, and Chancellery, the visit is portrayed as a reflection of the shared commitment by both leaders to strengthen the multidimensional ties between Morocco and France. The nations have cooperated closely on various political, economic, and security matters, and this visit aims to further deepen their collaboration.
The visit comes at a pivotal moment in Moroccan-French relations, particularly regarding the Western Sahara issue. On July 31, King Mohammed VI formally invited President Macron following France’s strong and clear support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara. In a message sent to Macron in response to his backing of Morocco’s territorial claims, the King expressed his appreciation for the French stance, calling it an important step towards resolving the longstanding regional dispute.
Macron’s letter to King Mohammed VI confirmed France’s support for Morocco’s sovereignty, stating that “the present and future of Western Sahara are within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.” This marked a significant shift in the Western Sahara conflict, which has long been a point of contention in North African geopolitics. The French President’s endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan for the region is seen as a major diplomatic victory for Rabat.
King Mohammed VI, in his response to Macron, thanked him for his personal commitment to strengthening the Franco-Moroccan partnership and for France’s “resolute support” for Morocco’s autonomy plan, which has been proposed by the Kingdom since 2007. The King further emphasized that by recognizing Morocco’s historical and legal claims to the Sahara, France is contributing to a growing international consensus on the matter.
The visit is expected to open new avenues for cooperation between the two countries in strategic sectors such as trade, investment, and security. Both nations have a shared interest in maintaining stability in North Africa and are likely to discuss further ways to collaborate on regional issues, including counterterrorism efforts and economic development.
In a recent speech at the opening of Morocco’s Parliament in October, King Mohammed VI publicly expressed his gratitude to France and Macron for their “crystal-clear” support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara. He emphasized that this support not only strengthens Morocco’s position in the international community but also paves the way for deeper ties between the two countries.
As France remains a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a key player in North African diplomacy, its endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy initiative signals a potential resolution to the Western Sahara conflict. This visit is set to further solidify the exceptional partnership between Morocco and France, a relationship based on trust, shared history, and common goals.
