2 weeks Ago By RFI
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 , which in 2020 declared a "self-defence war" and seeks the territory's independence. 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.
Of the 40 companies listed on France's CAC 40 stock market index, 33 are active in Morocco. Read also:.
