French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu concluded a three-day visit to Rabat on Wednesday, signaling a significant thaw in diplomatic relations between France and Morocco. The visit, marked by military honors upon arrival, laid the groundwork for potential high-level exchanges, including a future state visit by King Mohammed VI to Paris and the drafting of an unprecedented friendship treaty between the two nations.

A historic turning point in bilateral relations

The warming of ties follows a series of strategic moves. In the summer of 2024, the Élysée Palace officially recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara, a decision that notably strained relations with Algiers. This gesture was followed by a lavish state visit by Emmanuel Macron to Rabat in October 2024, which put an end to three years of diplomatic tension fueled by espionage allegations and visa restrictions. The visit culminated in the signing of an exceptional enhanced partnership and multiple commercial contracts.

During his stay in Morocco, Lecornu, accompanied by twelve ministers including Jean-Noël Barrot (Foreign Affairs) and Laurent Nunez (Interior), emphasized the need to “scale up” bilateral cooperation. He described the meeting as a pivotal moment, highlighting converging interests in Africa, particularly in combating the growing jihadist threat in the Sahel. Lecornu also proposed positioning Morocco as an anchoring port for the kingdom’s relationship with the European Union.

A partnership tested by intelligence controversies

Despite the diplomatic momentum, challenges remain. The visit took place against the backdrop of recent revelations about the alleged use of the Pegasus spyware by Moroccan authorities. Earlier this week, an international consortium of media outlets published investigations accusing Morocco of deploying the Israeli-developed software to infiltrate the phones of foreign and domestic figures, including a French president and a former French minister. Morocco has consistently denied these allegations, dismissing them as “false and baseless”.

The French delegation’s visit was initially planned to include a press conference, but it was reduced to brief statements without the opportunity for journalists to ask questions. Aziz Akhannouch, Morocco’s Prime Minister, echoed calls to accelerate the implementation of commitments made in the 2024 partnership and prepare for the next steps.

Looking ahead: a friendship treaty and high-level visits

In a message relayed by the Moroccan state news agency MAP on the occasion of Bastille Day, King Mohammed VI celebrated the consolidation of the privileged relationship between the two countries. The anticipated friendship treaty would represent a historic milestone in Franco-Moroccan relations, formalizing a new era of cooperation.

The visit underscores a broader geopolitical realignment in North Africa, with France and Morocco positioning themselves as key partners in addressing security challenges in the Sahel and beyond.