Le Monde: Morocco Emerges as Key Western Mediator in Sahel

Doha – Morocco has solidified its position as a crucial mediator between Western nations and the military governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, as demonstrated by its recent successful negotiation for the release of four French DGSE agents.

According to Maghreb Arabe Presse (MAP), these agents, who had been detained in Burkina Faso since December 1, 2023, were freed on December 19 following direct intervention by King Mohammed VI.

According to the French newspaper Le Monde, this diplomatic success came at a critical time when France found itself at an impasse in negotiations with Ouagadougou.

The newspaper notes that “Paris was aware of being in a deadlock to negotiate the release of its agents,” particularly given the deteriorated relations with Burkina Faso’s government under Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

The Moroccan diplomatic apparatus has previously facilitated similar releases. In August 2023, Morocco’s foreign intelligence service (DGED) played what Romanian authorities called “a fundamental role” in freeing Romanian security officer Iulian Ghergut, who had been held captive in northeast Burkina Faso since 2015.

The DGED also assisted in the liberation of German engineer Jörg Lange, who had been kidnapped in Niger in 2018 and held in Mali for four years.

Morocco’s diplomatic strategy in the Sahel region has been marked by what Nigerien journalist Seidik Abba describes as “an understanding of the new sovereignist context.”

Unlike France, the North African country has maintained productive relationships with the transitional governments while continuing to share expertise in defense and security matters, particularly in counter-terrorism efforts.

The country’s influence extends beyond security cooperation. In Niger, Morocco recently inaugurated the “His Majesty King Mohammed VI” thermal power plant in Niamey on December 12.

Rabat has also established a significant economic presence in the region through telecommunications and banking sectors, with Moroccan banks holding government-issued securities from Sahel nations.

Morocco’s diplomatic approach has been particularly notable for its neutrality, as the country is not a member of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States).

This position has allowed it to maintain dialogue with the new Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprising Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, even after their break with ECOWAS.

Le Monde reports that Morocco is currently engaged in discussions regarding the potential release of former Niger President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been detained in Niamey since July 2023.

These negotiations were reportedly discussed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Rabat from October 28-30.

Morocco has also proposed providing Sahel states access to its Atlantic coastline as part of a Royal initiative, though this initiative remains in the planning stages.

As a former Malian minister quoted in Le Monde stated, “Moroccans can demand to be received and considered at the level of their investments.”