French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu arrived in Rabat on July 16, 2026 [1], amid allegations that Morocco used Pegasus spyware to monitor French officials.

The timing of these revelations threatens to undermine a high-level diplomatic mission intended to strengthen trade and defense ties between Paris and Rabat. The emergence of these claims suggests a persistent breach of trust between the two allies despite their strategic cooperation.

According to reports, Moroccan authorities allegedly utilized the Israeli-developed Pegasus software to target several French ministers [1, 2]. This digital surveillance occurred ahead of the current visit, raising questions about the security of French government communications.

The current controversy arrives five years after the first wave of the Pegasus scandal [2, 3]. That initial global outcry highlighted how governments used the software to target journalists, activists, and foreign diplomats, yet the new allegations indicate the tool remains a fixture in regional intelligence operations.

Lecornu's visit was designed to solidify bilateral relations and enhance economic partnerships [1, 2]. However, the cloud of espionage allegations now looms over the official agenda, potentially complicating the negotiations on security and defense agreements.

French officials have not yet detailed the specific ministers targeted or the extent of the data compromised. The investigation into the alleged spying continues as the Prime Minister engages with Moroccan leadership in Rabat [1, 3].

“Moroccan authorities allegedly utilized the Israeli-developed Pegasus software to target several French ministers.”

This incident underscores the fragility of diplomatic trust in the age of advanced cyber-warfare. By targeting high-ranking ministers, the alleged use of Pegasus by Morocco suggests that intelligence gathering may be prioritized over diplomatic stability. This could lead to a cooling of Franco-Moroccan relations or the imposition of stricter digital security protocols for French diplomats operating in North Africa.