Diplomatic ties between France and Morocco are experiencing a significant resurgence. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s recent official visit to Rabat underscores this renewed closeness, with discussions hinting at potential future milestones such as a state visit by King Mohammed VI to Paris and the formalization of an “extraordinary friendship treaty” between the two nations. While no specific timeline has been set, the ambitions are clear.

The relationship between France and Morocco has seen considerable improvement since mid-2024. This positive shift began when the French head of state officially acknowledged Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara territory, a move that notably drew criticism from Algiers.

Following this pivotal recognition, President Emmanuel Macron received a grand welcome in Rabat in October of the same year. This visit successfully brought an end to a three-year period of strained relations, which had been fueled partly by allegations of espionage and a diplomatic crisis over visa issues. Macron’s trip culminated in the signing of numerous agreements and the establishment of a “reinforced exceptional partnership.”

Strengthened Partnership Amidst Pegasus Allegations

Despite the positive trajectory, recent developments have brought older controversies back into focus. This past Thursday, an international media consortium, including prominent investigative journalists, released new findings concerning the alleged scale of espionage conducted by Morocco using the Pegasus software. The reports also highlighted France’s previous consideration of acquiring the same surveillance technology.

In 2021, Morocco faced accusations of deploying the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware to infiltrate the mobile phones of various prominent national and international figures. Among those reportedly targeted were the French President and Sébastien Lecornu, who at the time served as a minister. Rabat has consistently and unequivocally denied all such allegations.