Humanitarian Diplomacy: King Mohammed VI secures the release of four French nationals in Burkina Faso
A major milestone in diplomatic relations was achieved this Thursday, December 19, 2024, thanks to the mediation of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Four French nationals, detained for a year in Burkina Faso, were released, marking a success for Moroccan diplomacy. These individuals had been accused of espionage by Burkinabe authorities, a situation that had strained relations between France and Burkina Faso. The pivotal role of the Moroccan Sovereign in this matter once again highlights Rabat’s influence on the African stage.
According to an official statement, French President Emmanuel Macron personally thanked King Mohammed VI for his efforts. During a phone call, the French head of state praised Moroccan mediation, which led to a positive outcome in a tense context. This diplomatic success is part of a broader framework of reconciliation between Paris and Rabat, symbolized by the French president’s state visit to Morocco last October. That visit had already initiated a rapprochement after several years of strained relations between the two countries.
Indeed, relations between Burkina Faso and France had significantly deteriorated since Captain Ibrahim Traoré came to power in September 2022. This deterioration was reflected in the expulsion of French diplomats and the termination of several bilateral agreements. Burkina Faso, in partnership with Mali and Niger, adopted a more autonomous stance while strengthening its ties with alternative powers such as Russia. This tense context makes Morocco’s intervention all the more remarkable, transcending divisions to achieve a humanitarian solution.
The four French nationals released had been accused of being intelligence agents working for the Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE). Despite French denials of these allegations, their detention had resulted in a prolonged silence from French authorities, reluctant to further escalate an already precarious situation. Their release, facilitated by the trust between Rabat and Ouagadougou, underscores the crucial role of Moroccan diplomacy in resolving international crises.
This success comes at a strategic moment for Morocco, which seeks to bolster its influence on the international stage. France’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, regarded as “the sole basis” for resolving the conflict, represents a significant milestone in relations between the two nations. This diplomatic rapprochement paves the way for new strategic collaborations, further strengthening Morocco’s position as a key player in the region.