Jean-Luc Mélenchon takes part in the currently tense relations between Paris and Rabat. From Morocco, the LFI leader called on France on Wednesday to “turn the page on arrogance”, in order to see diplomacy with the kingdom “improve”.
On the first day of his visit, taking him in particular to the areas affected by the earthquake of September 8, Jean-Luc Mélenchon estimated that France had “not always stood out for its sense of relevance and this is resulted from difficulties which, in (his) opinion, could have been avoided.
Paris looks down on “Morocco”
Bilateral tensions experienced a new episode during the earthquake which struck the Marrakech region and killed nearly 3,000 people. Morocco did not accept the aid proposed by Paris, leading to heated controversies in France. The Quai d’Orsay then indicated that President Emmanuel Macron was invited by King Mohammed VI to make a state visit, which Rabat denied.
“Relations between France and Morocco must improve (…) This way of looking down on Morocco which is even more unbearable for me when I see what I see here,” Jean-Luc Mélenchon told journalists at Amizmiz, south of Marrakech, where many survivors live in tents. “Morocco has done admirably and we French people have lessons to learn here in terms of efficiency, discipline and mutual aid,” added this native of Tangier.
Relations between Morocco and France, a former colonial power where a large Moroccan diaspora lives, have been tense since Emmanuel tried to get closer to Algeria, which broke off its diplomatic relations with Rabat in 2021, accused of ” hostile acts.” Morocco also criticizes France for not aligning with the United States and Israel who have recognized the “Moroccan nature” of Western Sahara, almost 80% controlled by Morocco.
“These are new parameters that the French should undoubtedly think about more carefully,” said Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who has members in his party who have shown their support for the people of Western Sahara.