“France lives off Moroccan rent,” declared a Moroccan academic during a television program on the official Moroccan channel, highlighting how France benefits from Morocco’s natural resources, particularly phosphate, through historical agreements like the Aix-les-Bains Accords. These statements come as the Directorate of Financial Studies and Forecasts announces that phosphate and its derivatives generated 86.8 billion dirhams by the end of 2024. But the pressing question is: How much of these revenues actually goes to Morocco? And are we still paying the price for agreements signed decades ago?
The Aix-les-Bains Accords: 100 Years of Economic Domination
Signed just one year after Morocco’s independence (1956), the Aix-les-Bains Accords granted French companies, notably Occidental, the right to extract and export Moroccan phosphate for 100 years, until 2055. According to the agreement, France took between 60% and 80% of phosphate revenues, while the Moroccan government received the remainder. This inequitable distribution, coupled with the excessive duration of the agreement, was seen as a continuation of French economic domination even after independence.
Controversial Clauses of the Agreement:
- Revenue Distribution:
French companies received the lion’s share of phosphate revenues, meaning Morocco only received a fraction of the real value of this strategic resource. - Control Over Production:
French companies had full control over the extraction and export process, limiting Morocco’s ability to develop an independent national industry in this field. - Duration of the Agreement:
The agreement was long-term (100 years), keeping Morocco bound to its terms for decades, even after independence.
86.8 Billion Dirhams: How Much Goes to Morocco?
If we apply the 60% to 80% that France takes from the 86.8 billion dirhams in phosphate revenues for 2024, the results are as follows:
- If France takes 60%:
France: 52.08 billion dirhams
Morocco: 34.72 billion dirhams - If France takes 80%:
France: 69.44 billion dirhams
Morocco: 17.36 billion dirhams
These figures show that Morocco receives only a small portion of phosphate revenues, while France takes the majority. This situation raises questions about the fairness of the agreement, especially in light of Morocco’s economic challenges.
The Academic’s Statements: France Lives Off Moroccan Rent
The academic’s statement that “France lives off Moroccan rent” reflects a bitter reality Morocco has faced for decades.
Through agreements like Aix-les-Bains, France disproportionately benefits from Morocco’s natural resources, limiting the country’s ability to achieve economic and social development.Questions Seeking Answers:
- Is the Aix-les-Bains Agreement Still in Effect?
If so, what measures can Morocco take to renegotiate its terms? - What Are the Economic and Social Impacts of This Inequitable Distribution?
How does this distribution affect Morocco’s economic development, particularly in phosphate-rich regions like Khouribga and Youssoufia? - What Is the Moroccan Government’s Role in Managing This Strategic Resource?
Are there genuine efforts to revisit this agreement, or does the situation remain unchanged due to political or economic pressures?
Conclusion: Toward Renegotiating the Agreement
The story of Moroccan phosphate remains complex, intertwining economic and political interests. If the Aix-les-Bains Agreement is still in effect, Morocco must reconsider its terms, especially given the record revenues generated by phosphate today. The priority must be to ensure that Morocco fully benefits from its natural resources and that these revenues are directed toward the country’s economic and social development.
