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In accordance with high royal instructions, Morocco has decided to terminate the functions of Mohamed Benchaâboun as Ambassador of His Majesty to the French Republic, as of January 19, 2023, indicating the growing tensions between Rabat and Paris.
In accordance with high royal instructions, Morocco has decided to terminate the functions of Mohamed Benchaâboun as Ambassador of His Majesty to the French Republic, as of January 19, 2023, indicating the growing tensions between Rabat and Paris. This was officially decided as of January 19, 2023; but communicated to the press on February 2, through an official bulletin by Morocco.
Analysts say that this development had taken place due to the European Parliament voting a resolution calling on the Moroccan authorities to respect the freedom of the press. On January 19, the European Parliament adopted by a large majority a non-binding resolution urging the Moroccan authorities to respect freedom of expression and freedom of the media and urged Morocco to put an end to the harassment of all journalists. This did not go well with the Moroccan authorities. Also, France has been accused of orchestrating an anti-Moroccan campaign in Brussels, a charge levelled by some politicians in Morocco.
Paris, however, had refuted the existence of any crisis with Rabat. The state visit of President Emmanuel Macron planned – without a date – in the 1st quarter of the year is still on. Analysts are sceptical about the visit as Morocco does not have an ambassador in Paris and that no replacement has yet been appointed.
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Officially, the decision to terminate Mr. Benchaâboun’s functions is a normal administrative procedure as he has been appointed as the head of a sovereign investment fund, whose mission is to boost the economy. What is still going unexplained is why his successor was not appointed.
