Morocco: end of mission of the ambassador in France amid diplomatic tensions

Mohamed Benchaaboun, in October 2021. AFP - -

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The mission of the Moroccan ambassador to France ended without a successor being appointed.

A decision notified on January 19, the date of the vote on a resolution in the European Parliament on freedom of expression and freedom of the media in Morocco.

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With our correspondent in Rabat,

Morocco officially no longer has an ambassador in Paris.

In a period of tension with France, the Cherifian kingdom terminated the functions of Mohamed Benchaaboun.

An announcement that confirms a trend that has been running since last October.

But the

of this news is highly symbolic.

► See also Marocgate: the co-president of the EU-Morocco joint commission deplores "amalgams"

On the Moroccan side, it is said that the departure of Mohamed Benchaaboun from Paris was only a matter of time.

: the latter had been appointed in October 2022 at the head of the Mohammed VI Fund, one of the most important economic structures in the country and a position that cannot be combined with the function of ambassador, a diplomatic source explains to RFI.

In fact, and despite a few round trips to Morocco, Mohamed Benchaaboun had not left Paris and was still living in the residence of the embassy.

The announcement of his end of mission was only made last week, in the Moroccan official bulletin.

But his departure is dated January 19:

.

A symbol while the Moroccan power castigates the responsibility of France in this resolution which notably asked Morocco to respect the freedoms of the press...

In Rabat, Mohamed Benchaaboun is considered a big name in his field.

According to several observers, his talent was under-exploited in Paris.

Mainly due to the current bad relations.

► Read also EU-Morocco: the statement of the French ambassador causes human rights NGOs to react

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