Rachida Dati’s Visit to the Southern Provinces: Reaffirming France’s Support for Morocco’s Sovereignty over the Sahara
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati Strengthens Ties with Southern Morocco
On Monday, French Culture Minister Rachida Dati visited Morocco’s southern provinces, reinforcing France’s support for the Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara. This visit marks the first by a French government official to this region, underscoring France’s position—as a permanent member of the UN Security Council—in favor of Moroccan sovereignty over its southern provinces.
Accompanied by Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaïd, Rachida Dati began her tour in the city of Tarfaya, where she visited the Casa del Mar monument, a site earmarked for restoration. She also explored the Kasbah of Tarfaya and the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Museum, a significant location where the French writer and aviator once stayed, attracting visitors from around the globe.
Following her time in Tarfaya, the French minister traveled to Laâyoune, where she inaugurated a new Alliance Française—a cultural initiative aimed at providing local residents with opportunities to acquire new skills and broaden their cultural horizons. She further visited the Mohammed VI Library, a major cultural institution in the Kingdom.
The visit continued in Dakhla, where Rachida Dati, alongside Mr. Bensaïd, inaugurated a new annex of the Higher Institute of Film Professions (ISMAC). This ambitious project aims to promote training in the film industry and bolster cultural and creative industries in the southern provinces.
Minister Dati’s working visit to Morocco will extend into Tuesday, featuring a broader bilateral meeting with Mr. Bensaïd and the signing of agreements in the fields of culture, arts, and cinema.
