The Mysterious Case of the French Consul’s “Suicide” Resurfaces Amidst Moroccan Royal Intrigue
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- In a startling turn of events, the enigmatic demise of French Consul Donny François has once again taken center stage, casting shadows of doubt on the official narrative. Nearly three years have passed since the fateful November of 2020 when François was discovered lifeless in the confines of his consulate’s quarters in Tangier, Morocco, ostensibly the victim of suicide.
Yet, as whispers grow louder and conjectures deepen, the shroud of mystery surrounding his death has been torn open, revealing layers of intrigue that extend far beyond the apparent tragedy. Media outlets, once content with attributing the consul’s demise to self-inflicted harm, are now compelled to examine the complexities that suggest a different, more sinister narrative.
Sources emanating from the inner echelons of the Alaoui Palace have illuminated an affair between the late French Consul and Princess Lalla Salma, the former wife of King Mohammed VI. Princess Lalla Salma, who vanished from the public eye, became a key figure in the unfolding puzzle. Contrary to initial assumptions, it is postulated that her disappearance was not voluntary, nor was the consul’s death the result of self-inflicted harm. Instead, sources suggest a darker scenario where the star-crossed lovers were silenced and eliminated by the regime’s clandestine security apparatus, acting under the orders of King Mohammed VI himself.
While some dissenting voices posit alternative theories, such as Princess Lalla Salma’s potential escape and questions surrounding her son’s paternity, the overarching narrative paints a sinister picture of calculated power moves and personal vendettas. These claims imply that the web of intrigue extends even into the legitimacy of the royal lineage, with suggestions that the crown prince’s very parentage might be influenced by the shadowy affair that allegedly united his mother and the slain French diplomat.
Moreover, the timing of Consul François’s death cannot be ignored, coinciding with a fierce internal power struggle within the Makhzen regime. A battle of wills ensued between King Mohammed VI and high-ranking figures in the Moroccan Royal Army. The ailing king’s wish to pass the throne to his son encountered staunch resistance from military leaders who harbored doubts about the crown prince’s origins and royal lineage.
This refusal to support the designated heir has thrown the Moroccan monarchy into a tumultuous period of uncertainty. The clash of interests between the ailing monarch’s aspirations and the military’ skepticism further fans the flames of speculation surrounding the diplomat’s death, underscoring the notion that the consul’s alleged suicide was but a symptom of a much larger political and personal conflict.
