Le Monde: Morocco key mediator in Sahel

According to reports by French newspaper Le Monde, Morocco is engaged in discussions about the potential release of former Niger President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been detained in Niamey since July 2023. Le Monde goes on to say that Morocco is increasingly becoming an important intermediary between Western interests and the ruling juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This is reflected in the recent release of four French intelligence agents detained in Burkina Faso; after months of deadlock, Moroccan mediation secured their freedom at the request of King Mohammed VI. Morocco has also been engaged with the Sahel nations as part of the King’s Atlantic Initiative that seeks to transform the geostrategic landscape of the Sahel and Sub-Saharan regions.