Morocco appeals to Africa's opportunity to speak for itself
The 2nd Russia-Africa Summit was an opportunity for Africa to speak for itself, according to the head of the Moroccan government, Aziz Akhannouch, who attended the conclave on Russian territory on behalf of King Mohammed VI, in St Petersburg.
"I represent His Majesty the King at this Russia-Africa Summit. This meeting was an opportunity for Africa to speak for itself," Aziz Akhannouch told the media at the end of his participation in a plenary session of the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit, held on 27 and 28 July in St. Petersburg.
Morocco took advantage of this international event to emphasise Africa's independence and its equality on an equal footing with the rest of the international players. "As His Majesty the King affirms in his speeches, Africa is an independent continent that is guided by its own priorities and that decides on the strategic partnerships it wishes to establish," Aziz Akhannouch stressed, in statements also reported by Morocco's official news agency, MAP.
The head of the Moroccan government recalled that the North African country has a strategic partnership with Africa and with several large countries, and also pointed out that the African continent needs a relationship on equal terms with the rest of the world. For, as the Moroccan monarch pointed out, Africa "needs less assistance and requires more mutually beneficial partnerships; rather than humanitarian aid, it is human and social development projects that our continent needs most". Aziz Akhannouch also highlighted King Mohammed VI's efforts to strengthen Africa's relations with other partners. However, it was recalled that the approach towards Africa needs to change towards one of greater mutual cooperation and without any kind of dependence on other partners.
Morocco was a distinguished guest at the summit on Russian soil, underlining the strong relations between Morocco and Russia, which have been strengthened since King Mohammed VI's visit to Moscow in 2016. According to Aziz Akhannouch, on that occasion "a deep strategic partnership was established, covering a wide range of areas of cooperation, including agriculture, energy, fisheries, science and technology, culture and higher education," as MAP agency recalled.
The head of the Moroccan government also alluded to the fact that the international scenario is complicated by the escalation of tension in various areas and by problems such as food insecurity and political instability. In the face of this, Morocco defends a solid position based on essential principles that make up the North African nation's political position. According to Aziz Akhannouch, Morocco's strategy is based on respect for the territorial integrity of UN member states, respect for the principles of international law and the resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly, as well as the use of peaceful means to resolve disputes and avoid the use of force.
Le Chef du gouvernement, M. Aziz Akhannouch, représente, à Saint-Pétersbourg, Sa Majesté le Roi Mohammed VI au travaux du deuxième Sommet Russie-Afrique, qui se tient les 27 et 28 juillet.@ChefGov_ma pic.twitter.com/9q0JsxOgfv
— Maroc Diplomatie 🇲🇦 (@MarocDiplomatie) July 28, 2023
These premises are in line with the Alawi kingdom's position on the all-important issue of Western Sahara. Morocco has always advocated political dialogue to resolve the Sahrawi dispute and proposes a formula of broad autonomy for Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty, respecting UN resolutions. This initiative has the support of important countries such as the United States, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and Spain. In contrast, the Polisario Front defends the holding of a referendum on independence for the Sahrawi people, which has less external support, particularly from Algeria, Morocco's great regional rival. Indeed, only African states recognised by the UN were invited to the Russia-Africa Summit, and this excluded representatives of the Polisario Front, as it does not represent an officially recognised state in the international arena as a whole.
