Christophe Lecourtier Proposed as New French Ambassador to Morocco

According to Tuesday’s report from Africa Intelligence, Director General of Business France Christophe Lecourtier has been suggested for the position of French Ambassador to Morocco.

Lecourtier is reportedly preparing to accept the position, and the designation procedure has begun, according to the site. According to reports, the nomination was decided upon by the Council of Ministers on November 23.

Lecourtier, 60, is a graduate of the National School of Administration, the Paris Institute of Political Studies, and the Ecole Normale Superieure in Saint-Cloud. Philippe Lecourtier, the father, was also French ambassador to Lebanon and Brazil.

Lecourtier was described as close to French President Emmanuel Macron by the news source Africa Intelligence, which predicted that he will work to increase bilateral economic collaboration, notably in the sectors of technology and renewable energy.

Christophe Lecourtier would succeed Helene Le Gal, who departed her position in Rabat at the end of September following an uneasy time in the country.

Over the past year, tensions have been building between Morocco and France. Tensions with Morocco were raised when the European nation planned to reduce the number of visas granted to Moroccans by half in 2021.

France noted Morocco’s unwillingness to send back Moroccans who had entered France illegally, but Rabat refuted the claims, saying it has always been a partner for Europe in immigration issues.

The disagreement between Paris and Rabat appears to have been exacerbated by Morocco’s effort to diversify its foreign relationships and reduce its dependency on France, as well as what was viewed as ambiguity in France’s position on the Western Sahara conflict.

The US surpassed France earlier this year as the biggest foreign investor in Morocco, signifying the end of France’s hegemony as the nation’s preferred foreign partner.

Recent reports suggest that the two nations are attempting to mend their ties. For example, Africa Intelligence reported earlier this month that Macron and King Mohammed VI of Morocco spoke on the phone during which Macron stated his “willingness” to travel to Morocco.

The source just revealed that the French president will travel to Rabat in January.