Morocco Accused of Spying on French President Macron Using Pegasus Software

Morocco would have spied on the mobile phones of President Macron and 15 French ministers using the Pegasus Israeli software, informs the French newspaper Le Monde. "These allegations of espionage, made public last week as part of an investigation conducted by the Forbidden Stories network and 17 partner media on the use by governments of the Pegasus malware created by the Israeli group NSO, have increased the tension," notes the Financial Times, which recalls that Morocco is an important ally of France in the fight against radical Islam.

To read: Morocco’s Alleged Pegasus Spying on French Officials Strains Diplomatic Ties

France has opened an investigation into these allegations of espionage and "the president takes the subject very seriously and is closely following the investigation," the Elysée said. For its part, Morocco flatly rejects these allegations. Through the voice of its ambassador to Paris, Chakib Benmoussa, it has asked Amnesty International to provide evidence of its accusations. "In this story, Morocco is a victim," he said, denouncing an "attempt at destabilization".

While it is true that the allegations of espionage are troubling the relations between Morocco and France, it is also true that the two countries will seek to control the impact of this affair on security cooperation, believes the same source. "The Moroccan intelligence services are very alert and very efficient. They have greatly helped France investigate terrorist attacks dating back to the 2005 Madrid attack, as well as to control the Islamist threat in Europe," said a former French diplomat quoted by the same source.

To read: Morocco Sues Amnesty International and Forbidden Stories Over Pegasus Spyware Allegations

These allegations come at a "particularly damaging time for Morocco, given its diplomatic crises with Spain and Germany," estimates Riccardo Fabiani, North Africa director at the International Crisis Group, quoted by the Financial Times. The reception of Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Polisario Front in Spain, provoked a serious diplomatic crisis with Morocco, recalls the British daily, which does not overlook the migration crisis that occurred in May with the massive arrival of migrants in Ceuta. Morocco has also fallen out with Germany after it refused to recognize its sovereignty over Western Sahara as the United States did under Donald Trump, adds the same source.