Rabat – France is expected to announce Philippe Lalliot as the new ambassador to Morocco in replacement of Christophe Lecourtier, who was recently appointed as the new head of the French Development Agency (AFD).
Africa Intelligence reported on Wednesday that French President Emmanuel Macron has approved the name of the next French ambassador to Morocco.
“The French president has approved the appointment of his next ambassador to Morocco. A career diplomat will succeed Christophe Lecourtier, who has been named at the head of the French Development Agency,” noted the report.
Lalliot has been the director of the Crisis and Support Centers (CDS) as part of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs since 2023.
He served in several positions as a diplomat, including as First Secretary at the French Embassy in the US, and Consul General in New York, in addition to his role as an ambassador to UNESCO.
He also served as an ambassador to the Netherlands, Senegal, and the Gambia. Lalliot holds degrees from different institutions, including from Sciences Po Paris as well as postgraduate diplomas in Administration Sciences in French Literature and Civilization.
The appointment of a new ambassador will come as Lecourtier will take the helm as the leader of AFD starting May 11.
The new appointment comes as both France and Morocco continue to express commitment to boosting bilateral relations at all levels. In recent months, the multidimensional ties have notably been marked by the exchange of state visits and improved trade cooperation.
The friendship between the two countries has further strengthened since Macron decided to announce Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the only feasible political solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
France announced its decision recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in July 2024, setting up Macron’s state visit to Rabat in October of the same year.
