Macron Welcomes Saudi Crown Prince Amid Controversy

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, often referred to as MBS, for a two-day visit, a move that has drawn criticism from journalist organizations who describe it as a “provocation.”

The visit’s agenda includes discussions on various topics, ranging from esports to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. A French presidential official indicated that multiple agreements concerning health, transportation, and energy will be signed on Monday.

However, on Sunday, three journalists’ unions expressed their discontent over France’s decision to welcome MBS. The SNJ-CGT, CFDT-Journalistes, and SGJ-FO unions pointed out that there is an active French investigation into allegations of torture and forced disappearance against the crown prince stemming from a complaint made in 2021 about the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Khashoggi, a Saudi national who held US residency and was a vocal critic of the Saudi regime, was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul back in 2018. His dismembered body was never found.

US intelligence reports assert that MBS was directly implicated in Khashoggi’s death, while a UN investigation labeled the incident an “extrajudicial killing” for which Saudi Arabia is held accountable.

The unions highlighted that MBS’s visit, following a similar one in July 2022, appears to be a blatant provocation for those advocating for media freedom and expression.

MBS’s trip began on Sunday evening with a participation in the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup in Paris, an event he has strongly supported. Notably, this is the first time the championship is being held outside of Saudi Arabia.

The French official did not confirm whether the potential agreements might involve a large theme park, Dragons Ball, which is backed by a Saudi fund and proposed for the Val-d’Oise area near Paris.

Saudi Arabia is also preparing to host significant global events, including Expo 2030 and the 2034 football World Cup. The kingdom, a close US ally with a history of strained relations with Iran, is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Islamic republic, particularly in light of the ongoing US-Israeli conflict.

On Monday afternoon, MBS and Macron will preside over the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-French strategic partnership council, focusing on crucial regional issues and emphasizing the need for coordination between France and its Gulf partners to promote stability and peace in the Middle East. Macron previously met with MBS in December 2021, making him one of the first Western leaders to do so after the Khashoggi incident. Since then, the Saudi crown prince has made several visits to France.