In a significant development for international relations, France and Morocco have taken steps to reinforce their partnership, which has seen considerable growth over the past two years. The French Prime Minister, Sebastien Lecornu, praised the "exceptionally positive" relationship between the two nations during his visit to Rabat. This high-level engagement comes at a time when allegations have resurfaced regarding Morocco's use of Israeli-made Pegasus spyware to target French officials amidst rising tensions. These allegations, which first emerged in 2021, have created an undercurrent of controversy surrounding the visit.
During his stay, Lecornu highlighted the diplomatic strides made by both countries since President Emmanuel Macron publicly supported Morocco’s claim of sovereignty over the contested Western Sahara in 2024. He characterized the current state of Franco-Moroccan relations as being at a "turning point," emphasizing France's intention to enhance collaboration, particularly in areas of security and counterterrorism. His Moroccan counterpart, Aziz Akhannouch, echoed this sentiment, stating that their partnership is founded on a "shared strategic vision, restored trust, and common ambition." This visit culminated in the signing of an "enhanced exceptional partnership" agreement, further solidifying bilateral ties.
Nevertheless, the recent revelations from a media consortium led by Forbidden Stories regarding the use of Pegasus spyware have cast a shadow over the proceedings. In a series of investigative articles released on Thursday, the consortium, which includes the renowned French newspaper Le Monde, reported that digital traces indicating Morocco's surveillance of domestic political adversaries had also been detected on the devices of French ministers, including Lecornu himself. Originally, a press conference was planned following their discussions; however, the two leaders opted for brief statements to the media without taking questions, reflecting the sensitivity of the ongoing situation.
The Pegasus software is notorious for its ability to covertly infiltrate smartphones, allowing the user to access messages, track locations, and activate cameras and microphones, effectively transforming a personal device into a surveillance tool. The allegations of its extensive use by Morocco against French officials have not been taken lightly, as Morocco continues to deny any wrongdoing and has called for substantiated evidence against it. Additionally, reports suggest that France has contemplated acquiring the spyware, although this has not been officially confirmed.
In response to these developments, the French foreign ministry has thus far remained silent, not providing any comments to AFP regarding the allegations. Meanwhile, Macron's office reiterated that France aims to "strengthen the framework of cooperation and trust with the Moroccans," despite the historical strains in their relationship, which have included disputes over visas and accusations of espionage activities.
As reported by arabnews.pk.
