France has officially appointed Christophe Lecourtier as its new ambassador to Morocco, according to a decree published in the Journal Officiel on April 21, 2026. The post had been vacant since the recall of the previous ambassador, Hélène Le Gal, in February 2025, a period marked by significant diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
Christophe Lecourtier is a seasoned diplomat, having previously served as France's ambassador to Australia and as the director general of the French Agency for Development (AFD). His appointment follows a recent warming in Franco-Moroccan relations, highlighted by a phone call between French President Emmanuel Macron and King Mohammed VI in late 2025.
The diplomatic rift, which began in 2023, was primarily centered on issues including visa restrictions and differing positions on the Western Sahara. The nomination of a new ambassador is widely seen as a key step in normalizing ties and rebuilding a strategic partnership between Paris and Rabat.
Lecourtier's nomination was approved by the Moroccan government, confirming the mutual desire to move forward. He is expected to take up his post in Rabat in the coming weeks, where he will face the task of reinforcing economic, cultural, and security cooperation.
