Since the beginning of 2023, tensions and twists have marked Franco-Maghrebian diplomatic relations, as France is struggling to take a balanced position on the Morocco-Algeria dispute, fearing a loss of influence that would directly affect its security, according to French weekly opinion magazine “Valeurs Actuelles”.
At the beginning of March, Emmanuel Macron tried to appease Morocco; however, Rabat responded tersely, “…ties are neither good nor friendly” in a clear rebuff. Moreover, a fortnight earlier, the King of Morocco had recalled his ambassador without designating a successor.
This situation was caused by the multiple failed attempts at rapprochement between Paris and Algiers and by the repeated attacks against Morocco in the wake of the “Qatarargate” affair in December 2022, in addition to the arbitrary restriction of visas to France.
The visit of Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune to France had been scheduled for May 2-3; however, it was postponed to the second half of June, which can only be interpreted as a waffling, wavering, and weak North African foreign policy agenda. (Time will tell what actually transpires).
Despite clear signs recently of gravitating toward Algiers, the Franco-Algerian relationship remains fragile. The latest evidence of the escalation of tension between the two nations was exemplified by Algeria recalling its ambassador to France at the beginning of February due to Paris’s refusal to extradite to Algiers a Franco-Algerian activist who opposes the Algerian regime.
As a result of this failure to demonstrate a backbone, both Morocco and Algeria have strongly criticized French diplomacy for confusing, ambiguous, and fluctuating double standards in effectuating its actions with the two nations, who obviously–and ironically–have themselves demonstrated their contempt for each other in recent times.