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Marrakech – A French delegation from Nice met with Dakhla officials on Thursday to explore cooperation opportunities, marking a truly groundbreaking leap forward in the rapidly evolving Morocco-France territorial dynamics.
The delegation, led by Olivier Bettati, Special Advisor to Nice’s Mayor, held talks with Erragheb Hormatallah, President of Dakhla’s Communal Council. Their discussions centered on strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest, with plans for a twinning agreement between the two cities.
During the meeting, the French delegation learned about Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region’s promising potential and ongoing development projects. “I’m impressed by the sustained pace of project implementation,” Bettati told the press, underlining King Mohammed VI’s vision for economic development and Morocco’s central role in strengthening relations with sub-Saharan African countries.
The Nice officials conducted field visits to major infrastructure projects, including the Dakhla Atlantic Port construction site and the seawater desalination station. Bettati noted that the planned twinning agreement aims to “consolidate a mutually beneficial partnership.”
Hormatallah explained that the French delegation received a presentation on key development projects launched by the King, along with the commune’s action plan and completed projects in economic, social, cultural, and sports sectors.
This cooperation catapults the already surging diplomatic momentum between Rabat and Paris to unprecedented heights.
These partnerships build upon France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara – a position that has now crystallized and solidified as it approaches its first anniversary, having been officially announced in July 2024, followed by the “enhanced exceptional partnership” agreement between French President Emmanuel Macron and the Moroccan monarch in October 2024.
In April, the Occitanie Region signed a first-of-its-kind declaration of intent with Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, establishing collaboration in key sectors including aeronautics, green hydrogen, offshore wind energy, sustainable mobility, and tourism.
“Occitanie and Morocco share a unique history, woven through deep cultural, human, and economic ties,” said Carole Delga, President of the Occitanie Regional Council, during the April signing ceremony.
Montpellier has also joined this wave of cooperation. Mayor Michael Delafosse visited Dakhla in the same month to explore business opportunities and discuss an upcoming cooperation agreement focusing on water sports, cultural exchanges, and sustainable economic projects.
Launched in late 2021, the Dakhla Atlantic Port, now 38% complete and scheduled for completion in 2028, represents a cornerstone of Morocco’s development strategy for the region. With a budget of €1.2 billion, this deep-water port will serve as a gateway for King Mohammed VI’s “Atlantic Initiative.”
Announced in November 2023, the Atlantic Initiative aims to provide landlocked Sahel countries – Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad – access to the Atlantic Ocean through terrestrial logistics corridors.
This strategic project comes as geopolitical shifts reshape the Sahel region. Between 2020 and 2023, military regimes took power in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, turning away from Western allies and forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
For Rabat, the initiative serves multiple strategic interests: expanding its influence in Africa, developing its southern provinces in Western Sahara, and strengthening its position vis-à-vis regional competitors.
