Intensive Moroccan diplomatic movement with the appointment of new ambassadors in influential capitals
A seasoned ambassador in communication has been appointed in Paris following a development in the French stance towards the issue of the Moroccan Sahara, and the Elysée Palace's efforts to make some moves to approach Rabat
King Mohammed VI welcomed on Thursday, at the Royal Palace in Rabat, a number of new ambassadors to the diplomatic missions of the Kingdom in several of the world’s key capitals, as part of the revitalization of Moroccan diplomacy, which has witnessed intense activity recently in line with Morocco’s active role in the region and Africa.
The appointment of new ambassadors took place in the United States, France, China, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Egypt, at a time when many influential countries at the international level are leaning towards the Moroccan proposal on the Sahara issue. This is considered a embodiment of the diplomatic achievements that the Kingdom has achieved in its territorial integrity.
Renowned media expert Samira Sbiti was chosen as the ambassador to France, where she has a distinguished professional footprint in the media scene in Morocco, diversifying her editorial line through a strategy she developed at the second channel. Her selection underscores the importance of the communicative role in this stage, witnessing a change in the French stance towards supporting the Moroccan Sahara, especially since Sbiti graduated from Paris Diderot University (Paris 7), specializing in American language and civilization, and the Higher School of Audiovisual Directing. She also obtained a master’s degree in “Communication Professions” and another in “Entrepreneurship, Institutions, and Risks Communication” from the Higher School of Media and Communication Studies “CELSA Sorbonne.”
The ambassador’s role will be prominent with the resumption of relations between Morocco and France after a long period of stagnation, starting with Morocco’s participation in military maneuvers with France. The Moroccan frigate “Tarik Ibn Ziyad” arrived at the Toulon naval base as part of the Royal Navy’s participation in these maneuvers, and its “Panther” helicopters joined the naval air base.
Analysts consider that the French authorities are on their way to responding to the policy set by King Mohammed VI in dealing with its European partners, which is based on exiting the gray area regarding the stance on the Sahara issue, similar to Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands, which affirmed their positions by supporting the autonomy initiative.
France found that maintaining its relations with Algeria and engaging in provocative actions against Morocco began to harm its interests in the Kingdom. This prompted the Elysée Palace to make some moves to approach Morocco, including sending a French delegation including military officials to Laayoune. This led to the king receiving the French ambassador in Rabat and the appointment of a new ambassador in Paris.
The French representative at the United Nations Security Council expressed support for the autonomy initiative, stating that Paris has been a supporter of this initiative since 2007.
To improve these relations, the visit of President Emmanuel Macron to Morocco may be facilitated after several postponements, in addition to holding a meeting of the Joint Committee, which has also been postponed.
Washington remains within the Kingdom’s sphere of interest, especially after its solidarity with Morocco’s rights in its Sahara. Youssef El Amrani, a graduate of the Boston University-affiliated Institute of Administration, was chosen as the ambassador to the United States, as he is considered a seasoned diplomat with a rich career in international politics.
El Amrani’s diplomatic career began with his appointment as Consul General of Morocco in Barcelona. He was then appointed as the ambassador to Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama in 1996, followed by the ambassadorship to Chile in 1999, and to Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Belize in 2001.
Since 2013, the Moroccan diplomat has served as the Royal Court’s mission coordinator before being appointed by King Mohammed VI in 2019 as the ambassador to the Republic of South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, and the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Among the new names is also Ahmed Al-Tazi, the Ambassador of Morocco to the United Arab Emirates. He was previously the ambassador of Morocco to Cairo and holds a certificate from the Far East and South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, affiliated with the National Defense University in Washington.
Among the positions he held, he served as an advisor to the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah in 1997, and as an advisor to the Secretary-General responsible for coordinating between the General Secretariat and the affiliated bodies and specialized institutions of the organization. He later became the Deputy Chief of the General Secretariat Office of the Organization in 1998.
In 2009, he assumed the position of Director of Cultural and Scientific Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then as the Director of Arab and Islamic Affairs in 2011, and later as the Director of the Levant, Gulf, Arab, and Islamic Organizations at the same ministry.
As for the diplomat Fouad Akhrif, who was appointed Ambassador of Morocco to Jordan, he held the position of First Secretary at the Embassy of Morocco in Rome in 1988, and later became the Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Kingdom in Kuwait. Upon his return to Rabat, he was appointed as the Head of the Bilateral Relations Department at the Directorate of Arab and Islamic Affairs (2006-2011) and later assigned a mission at the Minister’s Office.
In 2012, Akhrif was appointed as the Head of the Gulf Department at the Directorate of the Levant, Gulf, Arab, and Islamic Organizations. Since 2017, he has been serving as the Director of this Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad. He is also the author of a book titled “The Moroccan Sahara Between History, Law, and Politics.”
Abdulqader Ansari, appointed by King Mohammed VI as the Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in 1983. As a diplomat, he held the position of Director-General of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation, focusing on enhancing Moroccan-African cooperation in its cultural aspect.
He also served as the Head of Cooperation with African Countries from 1994 to 1995, then as the Head of the Arab and Islamic Organizations Department in 2001. Subsequently, he held the position of Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Kingdom in Algeria (1995-2001) and as the Foreign Affairs Attaché at the Embassy of Morocco in Athens from 1990 to 1992. Ansari, who also served as the Ambassador of Morocco to Stockholm and Athens, participated in several missions in Africa and the Americas.
Mohamed Ait Ouali, appointed by King Mohammed VI as the Ambassador of Morocco to the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a seasoned diplomat. In 1994, he was appointed as an advisor at the Embassy of the Kingdom in Egypt, then assigned to studies at the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in 1999.
In 2000, he assumed the position of Chargé d’Affaires at the Moroccan Embassy in Tunisia before being appointed as the Deputy Head of this diplomatic mission the following year. Ait Ouali, who served as the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom to the Arab Organization for Education, Culture, and Science from 2001 to 2004, became the Ambassador of the King to Manama (2005-2010) and then to Abu Dhabi from 2011 to 2021. He later returned to the ministry as an advisor at the Minister’s Office. He has also authored a book titled “Political Philosophy According to Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali.”
