King Mohammed VI
and Emmanuel Macron
parade in Rabat to make their reconciliation public
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte arrived in Rabat on the afternoon of October 28. The French presidential couple are on a three-day state visit to the Kingdom of Morocco in the hope of turning the page on the diplomatic tensions of recent years. King Mohammed VI warmly greeted Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron as they exited the plane, then they traveled to the center of Rabat in a ceremonial car. It is time for a reunion after five years of diplomatic disputes.
Long handshake between the two heads of state, as Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron exit the plane. Crown Prince Moulay Hassan and Prince Moulay Rachid are present at the airport on October 28, 2024 (Photo: Ludovic Marin/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM)
King Mohammed VI and President Macron: A reunion to start anew
The President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, arrived in the Kingdom of Morocco late in the afternoon, this Monday, October 28, 2024. The French President is accompanied by a delegation of nine ministers, including the new French Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau. The ministers of the new Barnier government are accompanying the President for the first time during this three-day state visit of the utmost importance.
President Macron kisses Princess Lalla Meryem's hand as she exits her plane (Photo: Ludovic Marin/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM)
King Mohammed VI extended his hand to Emmanuel Macron, hoping to ease relations between France and Morocco, or even restore the relations of yesteryear. It was this hand that he also grabbed as soon as the French president left the plane at Rabat-Salé airport. The two heads of state shook hands vigorously and at length. The King's son, brother and sister, Crown Prince Moulay Hassan, Prince Moulay Rachid and Princess Lalla Meryem were also present.
President Emmanuel Macron and King Mohammed VI arrive at the royal palace in a ceremonial car and publicly display their good understanding (Photo: Ludovic Marin/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM)
French President greets Moroccans in ceremonial car on the streets of Rabat
After the 21-gun salute, the King of Morocco and the French President traveled to the center of the capital in a ceremonial car. As they approached the center, the two heads of state appeared through the open roof of the car to greet the population along the streets decked out in the French colors. King Mohammed VI then held a welcoming ceremony on the Esplanade Méchouar, the square opposite the Royal Palace in Rabat, before returning to the interior of the palace.
The King of Morocco and the French President parade through the streets of Rabat (Photo: Ludovic Marin/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM)
Among the latest diplomatic acts that have upset the two countries, there was this decision by France to reduce the visas granted to nationals of the Maghreb. France also condemned the deterioration of freedom of the press in Morocco. Morocco had also refused the aid offered by France following the earthquake of September 2023. Relations seem to have softened in recent months when President Macron finally spoke out in favor of Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, to the detriment of Algeria, a thorny diplomatic issue. This same position taken by the Spanish Prime Minister in favor of Morocco had also allowed Madrid to reconcile with Rabat.
The two heads of state arrive at the royal palace in Rabat in a ceremonial car (Photo: Ludovic Marin/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM)
The Courrier international quotes a statement by the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, addressed to the Tribune du dimanche, who recalls how important this visit is. "We intend to rebuild (our relationship) but also to project ourselves into the decades to come", by setting the "bar very high in many areas".
King Mohammed VI, who suffers from sarcoidosis, a disease that affects the immune system, absolutely wanted to meet the president, despite his state of health which increasingly worries the Moroccan population. King Mohammed VI has been the sovereign of the Kingdom of Morocco since 1999, heir to the long line of sovereigns of the Alaouite dynasty. This family is called "cherifian", which means that it descends from the prophet Muhammad through his daughter. We also speak of the Alaouite dynasty, in reference to Ali, Muhammad's cousin who will become his son-in-law by marrying his daughter. Several descendants of this couple have reigned over the centuries. Currently, the Alawite dynasty (in Morocco) and the Hashemite dynasty (in Jordan) are the only two ruling Sharifian families.
Muhammad's descendants, originally from the Arabian Peninsula, joined Morocco in the mid-13th century. In the mid-16th century, Moulay Ali Cherif, from the Alawite family, became leader of Tafilalet, a region located today in the southeast of the country. One of his sons, Moulay Rachid, would become the first sultan of Morocco in 1667, annexing neighboring territories and creating the first central power in the country. He is considered the founder of the dynasty. His brother, Moulay Ismail, succeeded him in 1672 and it is through him that the dynasty continues to the current king of Morocco. It was Sultan Mohammed V, grandfather of King Mohammed VI, who after regaining independence from France, became the first king of Morocco, according to the terms of the new constitution.
Nicolas Fontaine
ROYAL ARTS VISIONS; King Mohammed VI and Emmanuel Macron parade in Rabat to make their reconciliation public