A confidential memorandum obtained by the French investigative outlet Mediapart has brought renewed attention to the United Arab Emirates’ approach toward France regarding the Muslim Brotherhood, revealing a detailed diplomatic and communications strategy aimed at encouraging stronger French measures against the organization and entities alleged to be linked to it. The document, described by Mediapart as an internal “action plan,” offers a rare window into how Abu Dhabi views the French political, institutional, and media landscape as a key arena in its broader campaign against political Islam.
UAE Diplomatic Strategy Toward France on Muslim Brotherhood Under Scrutiny
According to Mediapart, the 13-page memo was sent in August by the European directorate of the Emirati foreign ministry to Ahmed al-Mulla, the deputy head of the UAE embassy in Paris, and sets out what it calls a “multi-sectoral mobilisation strategy” designed to encourage French authorities to reinforce existing measures against the Muslim Brotherhood. The document frames France as a “target country,” arguing that its political and media environment is increasingly receptive to heightened scrutiny of Islamist networks. It states that the objective was to prompt French action—ranging from regulatory oversight to possible restrictions—through methods aligned with France’s domestic legal and political frameworks. The memo recommends parallel engagement with the French presidency, the prime minister’s office, key ministries, parliamentarians, civil society actors, and media outlets. It also outlines plans for discreet meetings with senior officials and advisers close to President Emmanuel Macron, the circulation of policy documents crafted for reuse within French institutions, and the cultivation of supportive lawmakers who could raise related issues in parliamentary settings. The report suggests that the strategy further highlights cooperation with think tanks and media commentators to influence public debate, while noting particular openness among figures on the French right and far right. Throughout the memo, the Emirati authors stress the need for discretion, warning that any perception of intrusive foreign involvement could provoke backlash and undermine the UAE’s objectives.
Mediapart Investigation Rekindles Debate on Foreign Influence in French Politics
The revelations have revived concerns in France about foreign political interference, an issue that has surfaced repeatedly in recent years. Mediapart links the memo to earlier reporting, including the 2023 “Abu Dhabi Secrets” investigation, which alleged that a Swiss intelligence firm, Alp Services, conducted disinformation campaigns targeting individuals and organizations portrayed as connected to the Muslim Brotherhood. The outlet reported that hundreds of individuals and groups in France were affected, and that controversies resurfaced in late 2024 following disclosures about a disputed public opinion poll on Muslims in France. Political reactions cited by Mediapart include criticism from figures such as Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who warned of external networks seeking to influence French democratic processes. The memo’s emphasis on caution reflects what Mediapart describes as heightened sensitivity within France regarding external influence on domestic political debates.