Macron to visit Morocco in October to strengthen relations after France's recognition of Western Sahara sovereignty

French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Morocco in late October following an invitation from King Mohamed VI. The visit aims to renew and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations, after France's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.

A diplomatic meeting focusing on strengthening strategic partnerships and future cooperation between nations.

Macron accepts King Mohamed VI's invitation to rebuild the bilateral partnership and align on strategic priorities after recent tensions.

Macron, Morocco, Western Sahara, bilateral relations, sovereignty, partnership

The Élysée Palace announced on Friday that French President Emmanuel Macron will undertake a state visit to Morocco "at the end of October," following an invitation from King Mohamed VI. This visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations after France acknowledged Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in July.

King Mohamed VI extended the invitation through a letter, expressing the need for a "renewed and ambitious vision" for the partnership between France and Morocco. This vision encompasses various strategic sectors and aligns with the priorities of both nations.

The Moroccan monarch emphasized "the promising horizon" in France-Morocco relations. The two countries have traditionally been close allies but have experienced a recent cooling in diplomatic ties. 

The announcement of Macron's state visit follows a message he sent to King Mohamed VI on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Throne Day – marking the monarch's accession to the throne. In this message, Macron affirmed that "the present and future of Western Sahara are framed within Moroccan sovereignty."

Earlier this year, Rabat had urged Paris to adopt a stance similar to Spain's, after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared that Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara represents "the most serious, credible, and realistic basis" for a resolution to the conflict.

With Stéphane Séjourné, the former French Minister of Foreign Affairs, now out of the government—having been proposed as the next European Union Commissioner and replaced by Jean-Noël Barrot—the path to improved bilateral relations seems clearer. 

Séjourné, as leader of Renew Europe (the liberal group in the European Parliament), was a key figure behind the January 2023 resolution against Morocco. This resolution expressed "deep concern over allegations that Moroccan authorities had bribed Members of the European Parliament."

After France recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, the Algerian government responded by immediately withdrawing its ambassador in France, Said Musi, and downgraded diplomatic relations to the chargé d'affaires level.