French Culture Minister Rachida Dati traveled to the contested region of Western Sahara on Monday as part of her visit to Morocco aimed at enhancing cultural relations with the North African country.
Accompanied by a delegation from various French cultural institutions, Dati toured the Moroccan-administered cities of Laayoune and Dakhla in Western Sahara.
The itinerary also included a visit to Tarfaya in southern Morocco, where she explored a 19th-century fortress and a museum.
“This is a significant political and symbolic occasion, as well as a remarkable historical and cultural moment, since my visits to Laayoune, Tarfaya, and Dakhla will culminate in the signing of agreements across multiple cultural sectors,” Dati stated.
In Laayoune, she presided over an official event to launch a French Alliance aimed at supporting local students, schools, and educational institutions. The ceremony was attended by her Moroccan counterpart, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, along with local officials.
Moroccan observers have hailed the visit as a triumph that further solidifies their presence in the disputed area. While international courts have upheld the right of local residents to self-determination, Western nations have increasingly shown support for Morocco. France’s backing last year elevated Franco-Moroccan relations to unprecedented levels.
In addition to strengthening political connections, Rabat and Paris have also committed to enhancing cultural collaboration through a new roadmap and a letter of intent focused on video game production.
The French cultural institutions represented during the visit included the National Center for Cinema and Animated Pictures (CNC), the National Library of France (BNF), and the National Audiovisual Institute (INA).
On Tuesday, Rachida Dati is scheduled to meet with several members of the Moroccan government and visit the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rabat.
