Key diplomatic mission in North Africa
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu embarks on his inaugural international tour since assuming office this week, with Rabat as his primary destination. Following a solemn tribute to the late Qatari emir in Doha, he will arrive in the Moroccan capital for two days of high-level meetings aimed at deepening strategic cooperation between France and Morocco.
A new chapter in Franco-Moroccan relations
The visit comes at a pivotal moment when bilateral relations have reached their zenith. In 2024, President Emmanuel Macron’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara territory marked a turning point, particularly after years of strained ties exacerbated by espionage allegations and visa disputes. The French leader’s subsequent three-day state visit to Rabat in October 2024 further solidified this thaw, culminating in a series of lucrative trade agreements and a renewed diplomatic alliance.
As Hasni Abidi, Director of the Geneva-based Center for Studies and Research on the Arab and Mediterranean World, notes: “Relations have never been better – now it’s time to harvest the dividends.” This shift in French diplomacy prioritizes Morocco over Algeria, abandoning the previous balancing act between the two North African nations.
Comprehensive agenda with tangible outcomes
The two-day program includes a ceremonial welcome with military honors, a solemn wreath-laying at the royal mausoleum, and an official working lunch hosted by King Mohammed VI. The highlight will be a bilateral summit between Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and Sébastien Lecornu, their first meeting since 2019.
During the visit, delegations will engage in substantive discussions covering economic cooperation, security initiatives, migration policies, and defense partnerships. Several agreements are expected to be signed across these critical sectors, reinforcing the growing interdependence between the two nations.
The French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez will hold bilateral talks with his Moroccan counterpart Abdelouafi Laftit, with a particular focus on the potential extradition of Franco-Moroccan national Ismael Benahmed, accused of a 2019 homicide in Paris. Meanwhile, Morocco will welcome France’s consistent support for its autonomy plan regarding Western Sahara, which contributed to the United Nations’ favorable 2025 resolution on the matter.
Pathway to a historic state visit
The culmination of this diplomatic rapprochement could well be King Mohammed VI’s state visit to France, accompanied by the signing of a landmark “exceptional partnership” treaty. While the exact timing remains unannounced, foreign ministers from both countries first broached this possibility in May 2025. The last official visit by the Moroccan monarch to France dates back to March 2000, making any future trip a significant milestone in bilateral relations.
This visit represents Sébastien Lecornu’s first official foreign engagement since assuming office amid France’s autumn 2025 political turbulence. His itinerary reflects the new administration’s commitment to restoring France’s diplomatic influence in the Maghreb region, with Morocco positioned as a key partner in this strategic reorientation.