French Consul General in Tangiers, Denis Francois
The French Embassy in Morocco announced the death of the French Consul General Donis Francois in Tangiers. He was found dead on Thursday morning in his residence.
“With deep grief, the French Embassy in Rabat informs you of the death of Donis Francois, the French Consul General in Tangier, on Thursday 19 November,” the embassy wrote on Twitter.
The embassy only conveyed the condolences of its employees to his family and friends without mentioning any further details of the death.
Moroccan news Le360 reported that Francois committed suicide. However, a police investigation is still ongoing to determine the cause of death.
The 55-year-old diplomat had several “personal issues” and applied for an exemption from his duties to the French Ambassador to Morocco Helene Le Gal only a few weeks after his appointment as consul general in Tangier, according to Le360’s report.
On the other hand, French authorities launched an urgent investigation into the incident, in collaboration with Moroccan security services. Nonetheless, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refused to comment on what happened.
France appointed the 55-year-old diplomat to lead the French consulate in Tangier on September 15, in replacement of Thierry Vallat who served in Morocco for three years.
In the same vein, the French diplomat expressed his enthusiasm to begin his new mission in Morocco.
“I plan on contributing with conviction to the dynamic of the French-Moroccan friendship, a strong and deep relationship that favors exchange in all sectors,” he said.
“I am happy to join a very professional and devoted team, with whom I will be fully invested to serve the French community.”