Moroccan King puts an end to functions of envoy to France

The mission of Morocco’s ambassador to France ended without a successor being appointed, in a climate of diplomatic crisis between Rabat and Paris, local media reported on Friday.

“In accordance with the High Royal Instructions, it has been decided to terminate the functions of Mr. Mohamed Benchaâboun as Ambassador of His Majesty to the French Republic, as of January 19, 2023,” said a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The date of the end of the mission of the Moroccan diplomatic representative in France “intervenes the day when the European Parliament voted a resolution calling on the Moroccan authorities to respect the freedom of the press”, writes the media Hespress.

“It can’t be a simple coincidence”, notes the Medias 24 news site, which describes “the announcement as sober and cold as can be the anger of Morocco”.