Bourita stresses the importance of good neighbourliness to achieve peace and stability in the region
During his participation in the 1st Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum in Sochi, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita stressed the importance of achieving peace and stability in the region through good neighbourly relations based on mutual respect and cooperation.
Although the head of Moroccan diplomacy did not mention Algeria, these comments refer to the Algerian regime's continued hostility towards and support for the Polisario Front, a separatist group that threatens Morocco's territorial integrity.
A few days ago, the Algerian-funded Polisario carried out an attack near tents full of civilians celebrating the anniversary of Morocco's Green March in Mahbes in southern Morocco.
Although Algeria directly supports the Polisario - a group that was not invited to the Sochi summit - and its aspiration to establish an independent state in southern Morocco, it consistently shirks its responsibility for the conflict, refusing to contribute to the UN-led political process and undermining efforts to find a peaceful solution.
During his speech, Bourita also highlighted the growing importance of Africa on the world stage. ‘We come to Sochi with a firm conviction: it is not Africa that needs the rest of the world. In fact, it is the rest of the world that increasingly needs Africa,’ Bourita said.
In his speech, the Moroccan Foreign Minister also renewed Morocco's commitment to continue promoting Africa's development, underlining the continent's rich history and diversity. ‘Africa's international voice must be heard and respected,’ added Bourita, who thanked Russia for recognising the continent's role and potential.
The minister also called for an end to traditional foreign relations with Africa, urging a move away from the typical paternalistic approach.
Bourita believes that Africa should not be treated as a dependent or passive recipient of aid, as the continent is capable of managing its own challenges and should be treated as an equal partner. ‘What Africa needs are structuring projects for human and social development,’ the Moroccan minister went on to explain, adding that the continent's best partners are those that can support its momentum.
In this sense, he stressed that Morocco's projects, such as the Atlantic Initiative, are part of its commitment to further boost the continent's potential.
‘These initiatives serve to illustrate with deeds the call that His Majesty the King has consistently made for a change of approach by traditional partners towards the African continent,’ he said, stressing that the continents need less assistance and more mutually beneficial partnerships.
Morocco and Russia reaffirm strategic partnership
During his trip to Russia, Bourita also took the opportunity to meet with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, with whom he pledged to strengthen bilateral ties. The two ministers also discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest.
During the meetings, held on the sidelines of the inaugural ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, Bourita and Lavrov reaffirmed their countries' commitment to their partnership framework. The Moroccan side also expressed its readiness to explore new areas of cooperation in line with their strategic partnerships and regional vision.
Bourita also emphasised Morocco's unique approach to African relations, based on a strategy centred on development. This includes Morocco's South-South cooperation model, which he described as ‘active, supportive and effective’, aimed at empowering local African solutions.
Beyond the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, the Moroccan minister called for a focus on critical areas such as food and energy security, expressing Rabat's commitment to promoting partnerships in these fields.
Cooperation between the two countries is based on a strategic partnership launched during King Mohammed VI's historic visit to Moscow in 2016, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This partnership has fostered a constant high-level dialogue, reflecting the willingness of both countries to cooperate in various fields.
Today in Sochi, MFA Nasser Bourita highlighted HM King Mohammed VI's Vision for partnerships and development in Africa, as well as the Royal Initiatives for the continent, and called for Africa's voice to be heard and respected on the international stage pic.twitter.com/jp2qWCg3Yz
— Moroccan Diplomacy 🇲🇦 (@Marocdiplo_EN) November 10, 2024
Bourita and Lavrov last met on 27 September during the 79th UN General Assembly in New York, following previous talks in December 2023 at the Russia-Arab World Cooperation Forum in Marrakesh.
The recent Sochi summit brought together representatives of Russia and African nations to assess progress and outline new avenues for cooperation on the continent's development.
