Rabat – Former French Ambassador Gerard Araud has added insult to injury amid tensions between Paris and Rabat, claiming that Morocco continues to blackmail France on the Western Sahara issue despite Paris’s “constant support” of Moroccan territorial integrity.
While many have blamed French diplomacy’s failures for the strained relations in North Africa, particularly with Morocco, others – including some MEPs and Araud – appear to cling to an outdated era when Morocco considered France as a great friend and a reliable ally.
On June 4, Araud – who formerly served both as France ambassador to the UN and US – accused Morocco of using the Western Sahara dispute to “blackmail” France, claiming that this attitude started showing following the US decision to recognize Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces in the Sahara region.
“It’s the usual Moroccan blackmail concerning Western Sahara following the American U-tun even though, for decades, France was the sole defender of Moroccan interests at the Security Council,” he claimed.
The former diplomat also claimed that he had “spent sleepless nights” defending Morocco at the UN Security Council.
Araud made his controversial remark following a tweet from Moroccan news outlet Morocco Intelligence, which recalled King Mohammed VI’s decision to terminate Mohamed Benchaaboun’s duty as Morocco’s ambassador to France in February.
As Benchaaboun’s termination came amid flaring tensions between Paris and Rabat, many observers attributed the diplomatic feud to Morocco’s issue with France’s ambiguity on the Western Sahara dispute.
France’s decision in 2021 to tighten consular services against Moroccans also contributed to the lingering strained ties.
Fake French support
Many have responded to Araud’s controversial remarks. While some received a response to their criticism of the former ambassador, others found themselves blocked – including foreign policy expert Samir Bennis.
The block came after the foreign policy expert urged the former ambassador to show respect towards Moroccans.
“You claimed France has supported Morocco for decades. It did so because this support carried no risk for France,” Bennis said, arguing that the European country’s support “merely contributed to maintaining the status quo.”
In return, the French government took advantage of lucrative contracts from Morocco, Bennis added, disputing Araurd’s claims that France support of Morocco was constant.
“The only president who genuinely wanted to help Morocco close this chapter was Jacques Chirac,” Bennis said, noting that France’s successive governments repeatedly failed to show its constant support for Morocco as it feared upsetting Algeria.
For France, a reconciliation with Algeria at the time was crucial – particularly after former President Nicolas Sarkozy sought to launch the union for the Mediterranean.
“If France genuinely wanted Morocco to resolve this conflict, why did it oppose US efforts? And if this support was truly sincere and not just superficial, why does France persistently refuse to follow in the US’ footsteps,” Bennis pointed out – stressing France’s responsibility for all conflicts Morocco inherited from the French protectorate.
Bennis’s arguments did not sit well with the former ambassador, who continued to tweet hostile remarks, putting a spotlight on France’s hostile positions towards Morocco.
Read Also: France in Morocco: A History of Manipulation and Fake News
The former diplomat took issue with the truths as they exposed facts and truths on historical actions that negatively impacted Morocco and its interests.
Despite the truths backed by history, Araud, like many in France, continues to back his country’s arguments, in an attempt to downplay its responsibility in the ongoing bilateral tension.
Clumsy France
Many intellectuals highlighted France’s responsibility as the primary reason for the tension, including world-renowned Moroccan writer Tahar Ben Jelloun.
In a recent interview, Ben Jelloun accused Emmanuel Macron of the recent tension, criticizing his “clumsiness” towards King Mohammed VI.
“Macron was very, very clumsy. He disrespected the King of Morocco. That’s what I know from very reliable sources,” Ben Jelloun said in an interview with i24News channel.
According to the prominent author, the French President made clumsy comments during a conversation with the monarch, with Macron complaining about Morocco’s alleged spying on him with Israeli spyware Pegasus.
“I give you my word of honor that I did not spy on you. It’s not my style,” Benjelloun quoted the King as responding to the French president’s complaint.
But “Macron answered him with a few things that I cannot say here,” Ben Jelloun noted, stressing that the French President disrespected the Moroccan monarch with his “awkward” response.
