Rabat – France24 has stirred a new backlash for displaying a divided map of Morocco, excluding its southern provinces.
The French state-owned, publicly funded international news television network shared the map on Wednesday in which Morocco’s southern provinces are excluded from the rest of the North African country.
“The 10 African teams qualified for the 2026 World Cup,” France 24 wrote as a caption in the map.
France24’s decision, which does not align with France’s official stance on Western Sahara, sparked questions. Many Moroccans described the move as “sketchy” and “ambiguous,” with critics arguing that the channel rarely acts arbitrarily.
Critics said the channel–often viewed as a communications mouthpiece for the Elysee Palace- may have intentionally published the divided map.
“It knows exactly what it’s doing by splitting the map in two. Well, we’ll play your game too,” one Moroccan wrote on X.
Another X user pointed out that France24 is not a “private media, but a public media & the voice of Elysee.”
“@EmmanuelMacron is not happy with how the new friendship treaty negotiations are going & thinks the media games with the map & football can make Morocco agree to his dreams,” the user added.
In January, French Senate president Gerard Larcher and National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet said their country is determined to establish a new bilateral treaty with Morocco.
Larcher said the new treaty is “underway”and part of a “long-term perspective.”
“This treaty will bind France and Morocco in a stronger cooperation than ever before and we hope that it will have a strong parliamentary dimension, ” Braun-Pivet added.
Officials, however, did not provide further details on the treaty.
Critics’ reading of the situation suggests that the use of a divided map of Morocco echoes the diplomatic tensions that the two countries facedin 2021.
Tensions began in September 2021 when France unilaterally cut visas for Moroccans by up 50%, citing what it claimed to be a “lack of cooperation” in returning irregular migrants.
Morocco responded to the claims, calling France’s move “unjustified.”
The Moroccan government also stressed its responsible management of migration.
Another source of friction was Paris’ previously ambiguous position on Western Sahara, including instances of divided maps and uclear language regarding the region.
Relations gradually improved, especially after France’s decision to officially recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces, endorsing the Autonomy Plan as the only serious and credible political solution to the dispute.
The decision was followed by President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Rabat in October 2024.
During the visit, Macron reaffirmed that the Sahara’s past and future lies within Morocco’s sovreignty, a position France has consistently reiterated, including at the UN Security Council.
Since then, the two countries frequently emphasized their decision to strengthen bilateral ties, with a steady change of official visits.
Today is expected to mark the first day of Nicolas Forisser’s visit to Morocco, where he will explore opportunities related to the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host alongside Portugal and Spain.
Intentional or not?
Despite these developments, challenges persist, particularly due to French media rhetoric.
This includes hostile campaigns from French news outlets, including L’Equipe, following Morocco’s AFCON victory over Senegal by a forfeit.
France has also sought to diversify partnerships, especially amid uncertainties stemming from the ongoing war between Iran and the US, which has created major disruptions including the oil crisis and food security challenges.
Several reports suggest that France and Algeria are showing “signs of a thaw” after years of diplomatic tension.
“Ambassador Stéphane Romatet may soon return to lead France’s diplomatic mission in Algiers, as both countries have taken concrete steps on the diplomatic front. However, there appears to be no real political strategy in Algeria for redefining its relationship with France, with the risk that progress in the current favorable moment could lose momentum and end with the two countries stuck in a new limbo,” the Atlantic Council said.
This has also prompted a question among observers, including Moroccan internet users, questioning whether France24’s choice to use a divided map can be interpreted as an attempt to align with the sensitivities of the El Mouradia palace, given Algeria’s long-standing hostility and clear-cut opposition toward Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces.
Algeria continues to lead maneuvers and campaigns targeting Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara.
It backs, arms, finances, hosts, and supports Polisario’s independence claim to further undermine Morocco’s Western Sahara position.
The publication of divided maps by international media is closely followed by Algerian outlets tied to the regime, which invests billions in supporting the Polisario Front.
In the US, two congressional bills are seeking to designate Polisario as a terrorist organization, citing regional security threats amid an already fragile situation.
