A new Moroccan face is steadily emerging: Hatim El Fethouni, a key figure at the Moroccan Embassy in Washington, plays a strategic role in deploying Morocco’s influence within the U.S. Congress and the Arab diplomatic community.
A former administrative advisor to the Moroccan Parliament and a graduate of Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Hatim El Fethouni joined the embassy in July 2019. In February 2024, he was promoted to Public Affairs Officer, a critical role that places him at the center of engagement with U.S. lawmakers, K Street think tanks, and multilateral diplomatic networks.
His promotion came just months after Youssef Amrani’s arrival in Washington. A seasoned diplomat, former minister, and expert on the inner workings of Moroccan power structures, Amrani is patiently rebuilding Morocco’s influence network in the U.S. capital, relying on a younger, technically skilled team.
El Fethouni is one of those who are implementing this influence diplomacy on the ground.
A career forged in parliamentary diplomacy
Known for his expertise in parliamentary cooperation, Hatim El Fethouni has established himself as a key coordinator of major diplomatic events. In October 2024, he led the organization of the 18th session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Marrakech, bringing together 57 countries to discuss Mediterranean security challenges — a first outside the organization’s Euro-Atlantic perimeter.
He was also the architect behind an international seminar on combating extremism, held at the Moroccan Parliament in partnership with the OSCE, bringing together European, American, and Moroccan representatives. His role: ensure inter-institutional coordination and position Morocco as a key player in Euro-Mediterranean parliamentary dialogue.
A vital cog in Morocco’s diplomatic machinery in Washington
Since Youssef Amrani took office at the embassy in November 2023, Hatim El Fethouni has become a regular point of contact between the Moroccan mission and the U.S. Congress, particularly with members of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee. It is within this framework that Morocco has intensified bilateral exchanges on sensitive issues, especially the Moroccan Sahara, which has become a top priority for the embassy.
The diplomat also plays an active role in the Arab diplomatic community in Washington — a network where Ambassador Amrani maintains close ties with influential figures, including Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE Ambassador to the United States.
A generational figure in a more proactive Moroccan diplomacy
Away from the spotlight, Hatim El Fethouni represents a new generation of Moroccan diplomats: internationally trained, attuned to multilateral dynamics, and well-versed in the U.S. institutional landscape. His work, at the crossroads of public and parliamentary diplomacy, aligns with Morocco’s vision of an ambitious yet pragmatic international presence built on strategic alliances.
