Moroccan diaspora: an asset for the new Morocco-France book

A few months ago, I wrote that Morocco is the King and that the King is Morocco, because most foreign elites, particularly French, did not understand the functioning of our country, our relationship to the monarchy, our quest for sovereignty and the fight for our national cause.

More than a 7-year quarrel, a disenchantment has set in between Morocco and France. I will not return here to the factual and emotional elements of this breakdown in communication. It was time for France, through its president, Mr. Macron, to pull itself together and understand that we cannot preempt the history of a 1,200-year-old country, ignore its emancipation and the role of economic and political power. and diplomacy that it now plays on a rapidly changing African continent.

Knowing how to seize the opportunity and demonstrating humility and political realism are some of the leadership qualities necessary to lead a country.

In this respect, this state visit was exceptional – given its high level of protocol – but it was also a success on the immaterial scale which does not speak its name. Indeed, beyond the 10 billion euros of contracts signed, we must look and feel what was not said or signed: respect, a rediscovered fraternity, I would even say affection and emotion. which could be read on the faces of all parties. This “Chiraquian” emotion which had made the Morocco-France relationship such a unique one.

Listening to the foreign media, our country enjoys an image of seriousness, that of a country which counts, despite its difficulties, and above all a country which has neither oil nor gas, but which has succeeded in its transformation since 25 years old.

His Majesty King Mohammed VI has always been committed to the long term and he is right. France has understood this well, and for a long time. By talking about writing a new book, and not just a page, he puts us back in this vision of the long term, because he knows that writing a book cannot be improvised: it must be thought through and documented, so that the story told brings together what is scattered. And naturally, we must identify those who will contribute to writing this new book with several hands.

Indeed, it is unimaginable to consider that this new book could be written with the same logic, the same people on both sides. Yes, the world has changed, citizens’ expectations have evolved significantly and speed of execution has become an imperative.

It will take more leadership and skills to give substance to this new book which arrives at a particular moment in the history of our country and its relationship with France.

It is in this spirit of contribution that I wish to include the role of our diaspora in this new book, in particular that of France and those who returned to Morocco.

As Her Majesty outlined in August 2022, the relationship with our diaspora must change radically. This is far from forming a monolithic block, it therefore requires a multidimensional and segmented approach.

This roadmap is long overdue and, for my part, I think the time has come to present it, explain it and deploy it.

Members of the diaspora present new profiles: they have become white-collar workers with diverse talents and they all certainly have a desire for Morocco. The real question then is: is there a desire for a diaspora on the part of institutions, and more broadly on the part of society? To date, I cannot answer this question except to say that, for 25 years, His Majesty King Mohammed VI has been affirmative on this point.

Today more than ever, the diaspora is a political, economic and influential object that we must make available to our country. Hence the need to draw up a new long-term doctrine and not in a short-term vision. To ensure that an entire chapter is written in this new book with France in particular, but which can serve as a reference with other countries.

Since the advent of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Moroccan diaspora has taken a strong interest in all forms of development in its country of origin and, therefore, it legitimately asks itself the question of either a return or a an investment project, or even both. In all cases, it displays a real desire to contribute to this new social project. The following question then arises: what is Morocco’s offer to attract talent and investors from the diaspora? This is the real challenge to face collectively.

It is an understatement to say that the world has changed and that the developments observed concern not only our environments, our economic, political and social issues, but also our behaviors and our expectations. The Moroccan diaspora has evolved and its view of the country of origin has profoundly changed, especially on the part of the 2.0 generations.

This is why our country has the opportunity to take a completely different look at its diaspora in order to mobilize it intelligently and above all effectively over time, in this new book. It is a real bridge between the banks.

All actors working on the diaspora, Moroccan chancelleries in host countries, foreign chancelleries in Morocco as well as the regions, will have to mobilize more to create real conditions for integration here and in the host countries. Diasporas are real brokers between cultures.

A new era is opening up to us, let’s take advantage of it to invent new initiatives.

We have created every possible mechanism imaginable and all the institutions have played their part to seduce and do their marketing. The real dimension that is missing from all this is humanism, authenticity and the close relationship that we must create with this community. We need to put sincerity in our messages and in our actions. Congruence is essential. It is with this in mind that we will make our diaspora want to contribute more, over time.

We must, here, prove that we all want to do things and live well together to serve the supreme interest of our country.

Collectively, each in their role, we must translate the course that His Majesty King Mohammed VI has just set to establish a new, original and above all disruptive dynamic at the service of a diaspora in search of meaning and recognition. A new narrative is required.

A diaspora that can and must play its role in the soft power of our country. And it is in this chapter that our diaspora must contribute in this new book.