The President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron. LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP
In a video published Tuesday evening on his social networks, the President of the Republic recalled that France always stood alongside Morocco, “on the humanitarian level, on the medical level and for reconstruction”.
Closing a controversy. This is what the President of the Republic set about in a video published on his social networks Tuesday evening. While Morocco, hit by a powerful earthquake on Friday evening killing, according to a provisional report, more than 2,900 people, did not request help from France, which nevertheless offered its services, Emmanuel Macron tried to appease the controversy that has been going on since the end of the weekend.
The opportunity to denounce the “controversies that have no reason to be» on the bilateral relationship between France and Morocco, «in this moment of pain, but also‘action and solidarity.» «We are here“, thundered the president. A displayed voluntarism but diminished by the strong tensions that the two countries have been experiencing for several months. Particularly on the very sensitive issue of Western Sahara, whose route and sovereignty are subjects of major tension between Morocco and Algeria.
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Despite this diplomatic coldness, Emmanuel Macron insists: “We have the possibility of‘provide direct humanitarian aid.» “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,” wanted to recall the head of state. Who “hopes that all the controversies which divide and complicate things in this very tragic moment can be silenced out of respect for all.»
By indicating that France, which has already released 5 million euros to help NGOs on site, will “alongside» from Morocco, first «by financing associations“. Then “in the long term (…) on a humanitarian level, on a medical level, for reconstruction, also for cultural and heritage aid. In all areas.” “France was shocked by what‘happened. We have a thought for the missing, their families, and for the injured», indicated the tenant of the Élysée. “I obviously think of all the families who share their lives between France and Morocco and these linked destinies», also added Emmanuel Macron.
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