After years of strained relations between France and Morocco, President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to the North African kingdom on October 28-30 was a significant diplomatic milestone. While Macron’s public address to Morocco’s parliament garnered widespread attention as he reiterated France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, a closer examination of the visit reveals a series of subtle gestures that reflect not just shuttle diplomacy on Macron’s part but rather underscore the depth of the countries’ historical ties and an acknowledgment of Morocco’s leadership and an appreciation of Macron’s efforts to forge a new, strengthened partnership.
Warm Welcome Ceremony
Macron arrived at the Rabat-Salé Airport in Rabat to a grand ceremonial reception, a hallmark of Moroccan diplomatic hospitality that is typically reserved for only the most important of state visits. King Mohammed VI himself greeted the French president, a gesture that conveyed the utmost respect and signaled the importance the Moroccan monarchy accorded the visit. Such a lavish welcome is not given to every foreign leader who visits Morocco.
The two leaders then joined an elaborate procession, with Macron riding alongside the king in an open-top vehicle as they slowly made their way through the streets, allowing the president to wave and greet the Moroccan people — a symbolic act of unity and shared pride between the nations.
Symbolic Gift Exchange
During their meeting, King Mohammed VI presented Macron with a traditional Moroccan khanjar, a decorative dagger with profound cultural significance. Throughout history, the exchange of decorative weapons and daggers has held deep symbolic meaning in diplomatic relations between nations and their leaders.
These ornate blades were often seen as emblems of power, trust, and the forging of strategic alliances. The gifting of a ceremonial dagger or sword signified the establishment of a bond of trust and mutual respect between the giver and receiver. It conveyed the message that each party was willing to let down its guard and place its faith in the other.
Accepting such a meaningful gift was interpreted as a solemn pledge to honor the alliance and avoid future conflict. The dagger thus not only represented cultural identity but also the ability and willingness to provide protection and defend shared interests. Beyond simply receiving a material object, the leader accepting the dagger thereby acknowledged the deep historical and social significance embedded within it.
The act signified an intention to become immersed in the giver’s cultural fabric, forging a personal bond that transcended the formalities of state-to-state relations.
Family Portrait Moment
Home and family hold immense importance in Moroccan culture. The living room, in particular, is viewed as a reflection of the family’s values, traditions, and social standing. It is not merely a room, but an extension of the family’s identity.
To invite outsiders, even dignitaries, into this intimate setting is a rare and significant privilege.
By inviting the French president and first lady into their living room, the Moroccan royals were conveying a powerful message.
They were signaling their trust in the French leadership, their willingness to forge a deeper, more personal connection, and their desire to cultivate a sense of camaraderie and mutual understanding.
This gesture went beyond the formalities of a state visit or diplomatic protocol; it was a genuine display of warmth and hospitality that is highly valued in Moroccan culture.
The fact that this photograph was captured and shared publicly further underscores the symbolic importance of the moment. The image serves as a visual representation of the strengthening relationship between Morocco and France, one that extends beyond the realms of politics and economics to encompass a deeper, more human-centric connection. It is a testament to the progress made in fostering cross-cultural understanding and cooperation between the two nations.
Emotional Connections through Cultural References
The central theme of Macron’s visit was to “write a new page” in the book of the longstanding relationship between Morocco and France. To this end, Macron built his entire speech around the metaphor of a book, drawing upon the work of writers and artists to illustrate the shared story of France and Morocco, reaching back to Andalusia and even earlier.
His speech was filled with references to Moroccan and Franco-Moroccan authors, artists, and intellectuals—from Tahar Ben Jelloun to Leïla Slimani.
This intentional invocation of shared cultural chapters served to connect emotionally with the Moroccan audience, reminding them of the deep, intertwined histories that bind the two countries together.
By drawing on these cultural figures and their works, Macron sought to position the France-Morocco relationship as rooted in a rich, multilayered past — a “novel” that he now wishes to help write a new chapter. This framing stood in contrast to the more transactional, pragmatic tone that has sometimes characterized France’s relations with its former colonies.
Shift in Rhetorical Approach
Macron’s address to the Moroccan Houses of Parliament evinced a significant shift in the French president’s diplomatic rhetoric, especially concerning the continent’s colonial past. Instead of sidestepping the issue, Macron openly acknowledged France’s role as a protectorate in Morocco. Building on this acknowledgment and referencing the Celle-Saint-Cloud Accords, he advocated for a new era of mutually beneficial relations rooted in respect and mutual interests. This degree of candor and self-reflection represented a departure from the traditionally cautious approach taken by French leaders when discussing the country’s colonial history.
Moreover, Macron’s tone throughout the speech was one of humility and partnership, emphasizing France’s desire to “humbly” build a new strategic framework with Africa based on shared values and a joint vision for the future.
This measured, introspective approach stood in contrast to the more confrontational stance France has sometimes taken in its dealings with African nations, underscoring Macron’s intention to forge a new, more equitable relationship.
Commitment to the Moroccan Sahara Issue
Macron’s unequivocal reaffirmation of France’s support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara was perhaps the most significant diplomatic tour de force of the visit. By clearly endorsing Morocco’s autonomy plan as the “only basis” for a “just, lasting, and negotiated political solution,” Macron not only addressed a longstanding point of contention between the two countries but also positioned France as a steadfast ally of Morocco on this critical geopolitical issue.
Notably, Macron went a step further, pledging that French companies would support development initiatives in the Moroccan Sahara, a move that signaled France’s intention to be an active partner in the region’s economic growth and stability. This demonstrated willingness to back up rhetorical support with tangible commitments, further solidifies the newfound trust between Paris and Rabat.
“Il est beau le jour où l’on porte son cœur vers le foyer aimé”
By emphasizing cultural ties and acknowledging past wrongs, Macron displayed a notably different approach to Franco-African relations, one that appears to recognize Morocco’s increasing influence on the African continent. In a symbolic gesture that captured this shift in paradigm/perspective/position, Macron quoted King Mohammed VI’s powerful words to the African Union in 2017 when he declared: “Il est beau le jour où l’on porte son cœur vers le foyer aimé. L’Afrique est mon continent et ma maison” (“Beautiful is the day when one’s heart turns toward its beloved home. Africa is my continent and my home”).
Macron’s express reference to the King’s words essentially signals France’s recognition that it needs Morocco’s deep-rooted African ties and diplomatic expertise to rebuild its relationships across the continent.
Moving thus beyond the traditional paternalistic paradigm, Macron now appears to be seeking a more humble partnership with Morocco as a gateway to renewed African engagement.
This is also reflected in the plethora of commitments this week to substantive cooperation in a multitude of areas including renewable energy, education, and regional security, and other areas in which Morocco has already established its strong pan-African leadership bona fides.