Macron Embarks on Crucial Gulf Tour Amidst Regional Tensions and Domestic Unrest

French President Emmanuel Macron commenced a significant tour of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar on Monday. The primary objective of this visit, scheduled from October 19 to 21, is to engage in discussions regarding the volatile situation in the Strait of Hormuz and its direct impact on global energy prices, as announced by his office. President Macron is expected to arrive in Kuwait on Monday morning and proceed to the UAE later the same afternoon.

This diplomatic mission unfolds against the backdrop of France experiencing its most severe civil unrest in years, which has led to over 2,000 arrests for acts of vandalism and looting. The four Gulf nations targeted by Macron's visit have all experienced attacks on their energy facilities amidst the ongoing US-Iran conflict, a situation that has also led to a reduction in oil exports traversing the Strait of Hormuz.

With Yemen's Houthi rebels now intensifying their efforts to gain control of the Bab Al Mandeb strait, there are growing concerns about a potential escalation of the global energy crisis. An Elysee Palace source stated, “In light of the crisis gripping the Middle East, the President will continue his efforts with regional leaders to promote a return to stability and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.” The source further elaborated that discussions would also concentrate on “securing and diversifying our energy supplies and their transport routes, with the aim of limiting the impact of the energy crisis on the daily lives of French people.”

During his engagements in the UAE, President Macron's agenda includes discussions on defense, security, and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). He is also slated to participate in a climate event in Qatar and explore economic relations with the Gulf countries.

President Macron has a history of visits to the UAE. In December of the previous year, he met with President Sheikh Mohamed at the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi and addressed French troops stationed in the country. Previous visits include his attendance at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai in 2023 and a trip in 2017 for the opening ceremony of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

On his most recent journey to the Middle East, President Macron visited Damascus in July, marking the first appearance by a major Western leader in Syria since the conclusion of its civil war. President Macron's second term in office concludes next year, and he is constitutionally ineligible to seek a third term.