2023-09-12 21:48:49
Emmanuel Macron denounced this Tuesday, September 12, “controversies that have no reason to exist” on the bilateral relationship between France and Morocco, while Rabat has so far not accepted the aid offered by Paris, after the devastating earthquake in the Marrakech region.
Morocco: in the villages cut off from the world of the High Atlas, we can no longer count the dead
“It is obviously up to His Majesty the King and the government of Morocco, in a fully sovereign manner, to organize international aid and therefore we are at the disposal of their sovereign choice”declared the French president in a video addressed to the Moroccan people posted on the X network (formerly Twitter).
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“This is from the first second what we have been doing in a completely normal way and therefore I would like all the controversies which come to divide, which come to complicate things in this moment which is already so tragic, could be silent out of respect for everyone”he added.
Rabat announced on Sunday that it had accepted the support of four countries (Spain, Great Britain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates), but did not request French aid, immediately raising many questions.
Tensions around Western Sahara
Relations between Morocco and France, a former colonial power where a large Moroccan diaspora lives, have been tense since Emmanuel Macron has tried to get closer to Algeria, which broke off diplomatic relations with Rabat in 2021, accused of“hostile acts”.
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Earthquake in Morocco: between Paris and Rabat, the crisis continues
Morocco also criticizes France for not aligning with the United States and Israel who have recognized the “Moroccanness” of Western Sahara, almost 80% controlled by Morocco.
“We are at your side, today and tomorrow”, declared the French president towards the Moroccans. Paris announced aid of five million euros for NGOs present in the country and which contribute to relief efforts.
“We will be there over the long term on a humanitarian level, on a medical level, for reconstruction, for cultural and heritage aid, in all areas where the Moroccan people and their authorities consider that we are useful”he added.
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