From Le Figaro with AFP
Published 1 hour ago, updated 1 hour ago
The Moroccan Embassy in Paris. THOMAS SAMSON / AFP
The King of Morocco on Thursday named former journalist Samira Sitaïl as the kingdom’s new ambassador to France, as relations between Paris and Rabat remain strained.
The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, appointed Samira Sitaïl as the Kingdom’s new ambassador to France on Thursday, October 19, filling a position that has been vacant for several months, according to a palace press release in the context of the diplomatic crisis between Rabat and Paris emerges.
The Moroccan monarch appointed Samira Sitaïl “Ambassador of His Majesty the King to the French Republic,” said the press release, which came at the end of a Council of Ministers chaired by Mohammed VI. was published in Rabat.
Tensions flared again
Former journalist Samira Sitaïl was information director of the second public television channel 2M for several years. This is the first time she has taken on a diplomatic role. His predecessor Mohamed Benchaâboun’s mission ended on January 19 without a successor being named.
His departure coincided with the European Parliament’s adoption of a resolution that same day calling on Moroccan authorities to “respect freedom of expression.” The Moroccan political class and certain media outlets had accused France, and in particular the entourage of French President Emmanuel Macron, of being the author of this initiative in Brussels. Tensions flared again after the earthquake that struck the Marrakesh region in the center of the kingdom on September 8, killing nearly 3,000 people. Rabat did not accept the aid proposed by Paris, which led to “controversies in France that have no reason to exist,” Macron said.
Although relations between the two countries are traditionally very close, they have been strained since Macron tried to move closer to Algeria, which cut diplomatic ties with Rabat in 2021, accusing it of “hostile acts”. Morocco also criticizes France for not allying with the United States and Israel, which have recognized its sovereignty over Western Sahara, which is almost 80% controlled by the kingdom but claimed by the Polisario separatists, which is backed by Algeria become.