Traditionally close partners, Morocco and France have seen their relationship deteriorate in recent years under a variety of pressures. Much analysis has focused on the role of high politics and diplomatic considerations, such as the question of the sovereignty of Western Sahara. This article argues that while these are important, bottom-up approaches must also be considered. In particular, we highlight the impact of visa restrictions on inter-societal links, and how these affect the core of bilateral relations by damaging the human fabric of politics. The “exceptional partnership” between France and Morocco is a thing of the past, or at least severely damaged. Over the last two years, new crises have erupted at regular intervals. The most recent source of tension …

The Moroccan moment: Global engagement and domestic reform  Over the past decade, Morocco has revamped its international engagement, aligning it with its economic growth and domestic reforms. Morocco is committed to consolidating its status as a multipolar actor on the international stage. Moving beyond aid dependency, Morocco is firmly committed to fostering equitable partnerships with the global community. The nation’s strong commitment to expanding its trade partnerships and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders clearly reflects its enthusiastic pursuit of multilateral prominence on the global stage. The hosting the International Monetary Fund (IMF) – World Bank 2023 annual meeting in Marrakech in October was a keystone in this transformation. This article summarises a comprehensive report focusing on Morocco’s interactions …