During a recent visit to Rabat, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu emphasized the 'exceptionally positive' relations between France and Morocco, despite the backdrop of new allegations regarding the use of Pegasus spyware by Moroccan authorities targeting French officials. The meeting, which took place on July 16, 2026, was intended to bolster the partnership that has notably strengthened over the past two years.
Lecornu's remarks came at a pivotal moment, as both nations have made significant diplomatic strides since President Emmanuel Macron's endorsement of Morocco's claim over the contentious Western Sahara region in 2024. Highlighting this positive trajectory, Lecornu described the current state of relations as a 'turning point,' with a focus on enhancing collaborative efforts, particularly in the fields of security and counterterrorism. His Moroccan counterpart, Aziz Akhannouch, echoed this sentiment, asserting that the partnership is now built on 'a shared strategic vision, restored trust, and common ambition.'
However, the visit was marred by fresh reports from a media consortium led by Forbidden Stories, which indicated that Morocco had indeed utilized the Israeli-developed Pegasus spyware to monitor French officials, including Lecornu himself. This revelation threatens to overshadow the diplomatic achievements celebrated during the visit. The consortium's findings suggest that traces of Pegasus were found on the devices of several French ministers, raising serious concerns about privacy and international relations.
Initially, Lecornu and Akhannouch were scheduled to hold a joint press conference to discuss their agreements and future collaboration. Instead, they opted for a brief statement to the press without taking questions, likely in light of the sensitive nature of the spyware allegations. Pegasus is notorious for its capability to covertly infiltrate smartphones, allowing access to messages, location data, and even the device's camera and microphone, thereby transforming the phone into a sophisticated surveillance tool.
This is not the first time allegations concerning Morocco's use of Pegasus have surfaced; initial claims emerged in 2021 regarding extensive spying activities targeting both domestic political opponents and foreign officials. Morocco has staunchly denied these accusations, demanding substantiation of the claims. The controversy has also prompted discussions in Paris about the potential acquisition of the software, although the French foreign ministry has yet to provide an official statement responding to the latest reports.
As reported by lemonde.fr.
