The new French Ambassador to Morocco, Christophe Lecourtier, begins official visit to the southern provinces

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French Ambassador to Morocco, Christophe Lecourtier, began his first official visit on Monday, November 11, to the southern provinces of the Kingdom, including Laâyoune and Dakhla. This visit marks the second official trip of a diplomat from a major global power to the Moroccan Sahara, following the visit of the former U.S. Ambassador to Morocco, David T. Fischer, in January 2021.
Lecourtier’s three-day visit was announced by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot during a joint press conference in Rabat on October 29, alongside his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita. The announcement followed the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Morocco from October 28 to 30, 2024.
According to a note from the French Embassy, this visit is “in line with the positions expressed by France and President Emmanuel Macron,” particularly during his recent visit to Morocco. In his speech before the Moroccan Parliament on October 29, Macron reaffirmed France’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and expressed support for the Kingdom’s development efforts in its southern provinces. He also announced that French businesses would support the development of these territories through investments and sustainable initiatives benefiting the local populations.
During his stay in Laâyoune and Dakhla, Christophe Lecourtier will meet with political, economic, and social stakeholders, and learn about the ongoing development strategies and programs. He will also visit several key projects, such as the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Laâyoune, the Dakhla Atlantic port under construction, and a desalination plant in Dakhla, a project being carried out in collaboration with the French group Engie.
Additionally, the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Morocco (CFCIM) is organizing Economic Days in the regions of Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra and Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, where about fifty Moroccan and French business leaders and economic decision-makers will participate.