Morocco Declines French Aid After Earthquake, Highlighting Diplomatic Tensions

"The world has been in solidarity and has shown its empathy, its deep empathy towards the Kingdom of Morocco, struck in its heart by the many victims, the some 3,000 dead and 5,000 injured who are in a very serious condition for some. So, they need international aid. This international aid should not make us forget the national aid and the very great effort, as well as the very great wave of solidarity..." said Emmanuel Dupuy at the outset.

The president of the IPSE recalled that several national and international organizations have offered and expressed their solidarity with Morocco, as well as personalities of Moroccan origin such as "Gad Elmaleh, the comedian Bouder or Jamel Debbouze, who have expressed their deep connection with the Kingdom of Morocco by organizing blood drives or contributing financially to the solidarity fund set up by the Moroccan authorities. Let’s not forget that this support goes beyond the borders of France, as some sixty countries have offered their aid."

Morocco has only accepted the official aid of four countries, Spain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, but has refused that of France, causing a major controversy fueled by certain French media. "It seems there has been a misinterpretation, or even cynicism, in not focusing primarily on the aid in question, but rather on the tensions between France and Morocco," comments Dupuy.

The president of the IPSE also notes that "the statements of the French President, in expressing his willingness to address the Moroccan authorities directly in a non-protocol manner, without taking into account the discourse of His Majesty the King of Morocco, have deeply hurt the Moroccan people. It is unlikely that this will help to appease diplomatic relations between France and Morocco." And he adds: "There may have been a condescending discourse on the part of France, which perhaps perceives Morocco as an adolescent country dependent on France."