Following diplomatic efforts by King Mohammed VI, President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso has agreed to release four French nationals who had been detained in Ouagadougou since December 2023.
The Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the news in a statement today, noting: “This humanitarian act was made possible thanks to the excellence of the relations between his majesty the King, may God assist him and President Traore, as well as the long-standing good relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Burkina Faso.”
Morocco’s diplomatic relations have played a crucial role in resolving several instances of diplomatic tension.
One notable example took place in 2022, when Israeli authorities agreed to keep the Allenby-King Hussein border crossing open thanks to direct diplomatic efforts by Morocco.
The crossing is vital as the only point of exit for Palestinians to the world.
The negotiation took place in collaboration with the US.
Many, including Israeli officials, also view Morocco as a key player capable of contributing to a resolution of the Israeli Palestinian conflict.
In 2022, Former Israeli Minister of Regional Cooperation Issawi Frej said that Morocco is the country with the most potential to facilitate dialogue between Israel and Palestine, pointing out that the North African country shares good diplomatic ties with both parties of the Palestine-Israel conflict.
“Morocco has chaired the Al Quds Committee for decades and citizens from Morocco represent more than a million people in Israel,” he said.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid echoed the same sentiment. In November, he proposed a regional framework aimed at addressing the ongoing crises in Gaza and Lebanon while fostering broader diplomatic cooperation in the Middle East.
The plan envisions the involvement of key Arab nations, including Morocco, alongside international partners to advance peace, reconstruction, and stability in the region.
