In a surprising turn of events, King Mohammed VI of Morocco refused aid offers from France, choosing to keep the historical and political tensions between the two nations alive. The King, renowned for his strained relations with French President Emmanuel Macron, has remained unresponsive to offers of assistance from both the French government and aid organizations despite Morocco being struck by a formidable 6.8 magnitude earthquake, the most powerful in a century.
This puzzling decision has frustrated French aid workers, as they are still awaiting approval from Moroccan authorities to enter the country and provide relief efforts, even as the death toll from the disaster surpasses the 2,800 mark.
Arnaud Fraisse, the founder of the French aid group “First Responders Without Borders,” expressed his exasperation, admitting ignorance about the reasons for this roadblock. Later, he withdrew the offer of aid, citing the expiration of the “golden period” for finding survivors and clarifying their primary role was not body recovery.
Meanwhile, a team of 60 British rescue specialists and four search dogs arrived in Morocco, transported by two Royal Air Force A400M aircraft provided by the Ministry of Defence. The apparent snub from the Moroccan monarchy has caught French aid workers off guard, considering their technical expertise and the prevalence of the French language in Morocco, which would facilitate efficient aid delivery.
Morocco’s historical grievances with France, stemming from its colonial rule until gaining independence in 1956, underlie this refusal of aid. French historian Pierre Vermeren, a professor at Sorbonne University, labeled this decision as a “clear political sign” characteristic of King Mohammed VI’s diplomatic style, emphasizing his inclination to convey messages and express displeasure.
In addition to colonial tensions, the contemporary relationship between President Macron and the Moroccan monarch remains strained. Macron’s planned visit to Morocco has faced repeated delays, and the Moroccan ambassador post in France has remained vacant for months. Simultaneously, Morocco pressed France to recognize the disputed Western Sahara region as Moroccan territory, further complicating their diplomatic ties.
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