Refusal of aid by Morocco: a "bad controversy" according to France

While it has accepted aid from several countries such as Spain and the United Kingdom, Morocco is slow to accept that of France. A situation that should not give rise to any controversy, according to LR ministers and deputies. "Let me tell you that this is really a bad quarrel," declared Catherine Colonna, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, on BFMTV this Monday, when questioned on the subject.

The head of French diplomacy called for avoiding a "bad controversy" around French aid to Morocco after the earthquake. "Morocco has not refused any aid, any proposal. That’s not how things should be presented," Colonna insisted, specifying that "Morocco is sovereign" and "alone in a position to determine what its needs are and the pace at which responses should be provided." The minister did, however, announce a financial aid of 5 million euros to NGOs "on the ground" in Morocco.

"Morocco has a strong civil protection and is able to respond to this kind of difficulty on its own," suggested Gérald Darmanin, the Minister of the Interior, during an intervention on France 2 this Monday, assuring that France is willing to provide its aid to Morocco. Avoiding the subject on the set of Public Sénat, Stanislas Guérini, the Minister of Transformation and Public Service, said that "this is not the time to talk about international politics."

Relations between France and Morocco have deteriorated in recent years due to the foreign policy of President Emmanuel Macron in the Maghreb, marked by what some describe as an "Algerian tropism." The kingdom has recalled its ambassador to Paris for months and left the post vacant. Macron’s visit to Morocco, also announced for months, has still not taken place.