Emmanuel Macron undertook a three-day state visit to Morocco this week. The French president accepted an invitation from King Mohammed VI, who welcomed him with great pomp. Here’s a look behind the scenes at the protocol, speeches, and the little stories from the visit.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco, on the right, and French President Emmanuel Macron greet the crowd during the latter’s official visit to Morocco in the capital Rabat, on Monday, October 28, 2024.King Mohammed VI of Morocco, on the right, and French President Emmanuel Macron greet the crowd during the latter’s official visit to Morocco in the capital Rabat, on Monday, October 28, 2024. AP – Mosa’ab Elshamy
In a visit like Emmanuel Macron’s to Morocco, there’s everything we see, such as images of the opulent state dinner around King Mohammed VI, what we hear – political discourse, particularly Macron’s speech at the Moroccan Parliament – and then there’s the atmosphere, the buzz, and the comments within the French president’s delegation. Because Macron arrived in Rabat with over one hundred and twenty people in tow: ministers, business leaders, athletes, artists. Quite an impressive group, at least on paper.
“Why Are They Here?”However, some names caused a stir. Two in particular, François-Marie Banier and Yassine Belattar, both with legal issues. The former, a photographer convicted to four years in prison (suspended) for exploiting the vulnerability of Liliane Bettencourt. The latter, a Franco-Moroccan humorist and bête noire of the far-right, sentenced to four months in prison (suspended) for death threats and crimes against several entertainment personalities. The invitations drew public criticism but also quieter complaints within the delegation. A director of a French financial institution, observing the two at a reception at the French ambassador’s residence, expressed surprise and questioned, “Why are they here?”
Even at the state dinner, the Belattar controversy was the talk. A participant noted that a Moroccan official lamented that it was being talked about more than the visit itself. “Very trivial things,” Emmanuel Macron declared, showing little inclination to justify the choices. However, a French minister, not in agreement, confided off the record: “It shocked me.”
No “Hiccups” in RabatDoes this mean there were tensions between Emmanuel Macron and his new ministers during this trip? There were minor jabs during discussions, but no overt disagreements during this visit, which served as a test in a new political configuration where the president is somewhat isolated among many right-wing ministers like Bruno Retailleau who was part of the trip. However, everyone made sure things went smoothly. The president’s entourage kept insisting there was no “power struggle” between the president and government members, and the ministers assured that the Elysée did not have oversight on their programs. One of them concluded that everyone was “in their role.” No one wanted to be responsible for any “hiccups” in Rabat.
