2023-10-04 20:02:00
Jean-Luc Mélenchon called on France on Wednesday to “turn the page on arrogance”, during a visit to Morocco which comes once morest a backdrop of tensions in relations between Paris and Rabat, which the rebellious leader wants to see “improve”.
On the first day of his visit, taking him in particular to the areas affected by the September 8 earthquake, Mr. Mélenchon estimated that France had “not always shone through its sense of relevance and the result was difficulties which, in (his) opinion, might have been avoided”.
Bilateral tensions experienced a new episode during the earthquake which struck the Marrakech region and killed nearly 3,000 people. Morocco did not accept the aid proposed by Paris, leading to heated controversies in France.
The Quai d’Orsay then indicated that President Emmanuel Macron was invited by King Mohammed VI to make a state visit, which Rabat denied.
“We must turn the page on arrogance,” Mr. Mélenchon told journalists in Amizmiz (south of Marrakech) where many survivors live in tents.
“Relations between France and Morocco must improve (…) This way of looking down on Morocco is even more unbearable for me when I see what I see here,” continued this native of Tangier (north). from Morocco).
“Morocco has coped admirably and we French people have lessons to learn here in terms of efficiency, discipline and mutual aid,” added the rebellious leader.
Relations between Morocco and France, a former colonial power where a large Moroccan diaspora lives, have been tense since Mr. Macron has tried to get closer to Algeria, which broke off diplomatic relations with Rabat in 2021, accused of “hostile acts”.
Morocco also criticizes France for not aligning with the United States and Israel who have recognized the “Moroccan nature” of Western Sahara, almost 80% controlled by Morocco.
“These are new parameters that the French should undoubtedly think regarding more carefully,” said Wednesday Mr. Mélenchon, who has members in his party who have shown their support for the people of Western Sahara.
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