French FM Stéphane Séjourné’s Appointment Raises Concerns in Morocco Over Past Actions
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- In an unexpected move that has raised eyebrows in Rabat, Stéphane Séjourné has been appointed as the new French Foreign Minister, leading to heightened concerns within the Moroccan government. Séjourné, known for spearheading the campaign against Morocco in the European Parliament, particularly regarding the Pegasus spyware scandal and curtailment of press freedom and human rights, assumes a key diplomatic role amid the unprecedented tensions between Rabat and Paris.
Séjourné led a campaign that resulted in critical resolutions against Morocco, including a European Parliament recommendation on the “deterioration of press freedom in Morocco.” He characterized the media scene as “continuously declining over the past decade.”
His appointment has caught decision-makers in Rabat off guard, as he is perceived as one of the “enemies” of Morocco’s interests in Europe. Unofficially, Morocco accused the new French Foreign Minister of “leading a gang within the European Parliament against Morocco and tarnishing its human rights image.”
The conflict between Rabat and Paris escalated following Séjourné’s involvement in a European decision condemning press freedom violations in Morocco on January 19, 2023. Despite France’s denial of any negative role in the resolution, the European Parliament confirmed Séjourné’s active support from its inception to adoption.
Former Moroccan Tourism Minister and head of the Morocco-European Friendship Committee in the Moroccan Parliament, Lahcen Haddad, labeled Séjourné as one of the architects of anti-Moroccan decisions in the European Parliament. The fallout from the resolution led to a political crisis between Paris and Rabat.
Apart from press freedom and human rights concerns, Séjourné played a pivotal role in the campaign against Morocco within the European Parliament regarding the Pegasus spyware program.
Since Séjourné’s appointment as the French Foreign Minister, Moroccan media outlets aligned with the government have published articles criticizing the French diplomat, describing him as a “novice in the world of international relations at the Élysée Palace.”
The French newspaper “Jeune Afrique” questioned whether Séjourné’s appointment would further strain relations between Paris and Rabat. It emphasized that his previous role as a decision-maker in the European Parliament against Morocco might provoke discontent in Rabat or be interpreted as a form of “disregard” by Emmanuel Macron, who maintains a close relationship with the new minister.
Séjourné, 38, is a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron and the founder of the “Youth with Macron” foundation since 2015. He leads the Renaissance party, affiliated with Macron, whom the president considers a loyal and silent companion since his arrival at the Élysée Palace.
In light of these developments, the French newspaper “Le Monde” suggested that Séjourné’s appointment might hinder efforts to improve relations between Paris and Rabat, with the Moroccan government expecting a “final and neutral stance” from France on the Western Sahara issue.
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