Morocco consolidates its position as the new African reference at the global level
Morocco's importance in strengthening stability in Africa vis-à-vis the rest of the world has positioned the Alawi country as one of the most visible faces of the continent.
The rise of Moroccan diplomacy is present in all areas. In economic matters it benefits from free trade agreements with the United States and the world's largest fishing contract with the European Union; in military matters it has the support of six of the ten strongest arms powers in the world with whom it fights terrorism throughout the Sahel region, as well as acting as a stopper for illegal immigration and a key partner for Europe; and in politics it has the backing of the West in the Western Sahara Autonomy Plan.
Morocco has implemented several actions to strengthen stability in Africa, but none has stood out as much as the Royal Atlantic Initiative, which seeks to facilitate access to the Atlantic Ocean for Sahelian countries, promoting trade and prosperity in the region, as well as accelerating regional economic integration and projecting itself to the rest of the world.
Integrating the Sahel region is a key, and necessary, step towards ending the spread of terrorism in the region. Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Senegal and Burkina Faso are currently the focus of the largest number of attacks by these groups, and Africa's stability depends directly on peace in this region.
In this context, Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, mentioned during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, that Morocco's initiatives for Africa seek to unite the countries of the continent and allow them to speak with a single voice in order to gain weight in global decision-making, especially in the area of migration.
Bourita explained that King Mohammed VI's initiatives highlight Africa's common development and demonstrate that Morocco's ability to find solutions to current challenges is crucial.
During the UN General Assembly meeting, the international initiative to improve the Sahel countries' access to the Atlantic Ocean was discussed and supported by all the countries involved, stressing its importance in addressing various challenges in the region.
‘The Atlantic Initiative will change the vision of Africa’
Nasser Bourita reaffirmed that the Royal Initiative will change the way we cooperate with the Sahel, moving ‘from addressing crises to seeking solutions’.
Such is the expected impact that several African representatives asked the President of the African Parliament to appoint an honorary ambassador for the Initiative for the countries of Atlantic Africa and the Sahel, to create a parliamentary working group on the Mohammed VI Initiative for the benefit of these countries, and to organise a visit to Morocco in November. They even proposed holding a conference on ‘Atlantic Africa, a catalyst for the African Continental Free Trade Area’ during the next session of the African Parliament.
Morocco's actions in Africa, such as King Mohammed VI's Royal Atlantic Initiative, highlight the great potential for development. On the continent, it seeks to foster the relationship between Africa and Morocco, with the aim of creating a joint policy to address the challenges in the Sahel and the Sahara.
The Royal Initiatives will contribute to the progress of the countries concerned towards a new generation of prosperity, employment and well-being for African citizens, reflecting Rabat's dedication to Africa through various strategic partnerships. Over several years, the King has signed more than 1,000 agreements during his visits to African countries.
Morocco's efforts are highly valued in African political and diplomatic circles. For example, Senegal's former prime minister, Mustapha Niasse, praised the initiatives for Africa, highlighting their vision for development and integration.
Or the ambassador and director general of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation, Mohammed Methqal, who pointed out, in an exclusive interview for Atalayar, that Mohammed VI has visited more than 30 countries and totalled more than 50 visits since 1999.
Methqal stressed that Morocco's vocation is not to export its model, but to share the experience it has developed and put it at the service of African partner countries, in addition to working with sub-Saharan African countries to develop innovative and pragmatic solutions that are based on local realities and allow these countries, and the continent as a whole, to grow faster for the benefit of the population.
‘The importance of projects such as the Atlantic gas pipeline between Nigeria and Morocco to boost regional economic integration and sustainable human development in the countries involved on the African continent are just some of the solutions that Morocco supports,’ according to Mohamed Methqal.
Morocco continues to work within the African Foundation to prioritise the needs of African citizens in the areas of peace, security and development, intensifying cooperation in different areas.
In line with King Mohammed VI's vision, joint African action is sought among the countries of the continent. Concrete actions will propel the nations concerned into a new era of prosperity, job creation and improved quality of life for the people of Africa.
In the framework of effective solidarity, the Royal Initiative for Afro-Atlantic countries was launched during a meeting on the margins of the UN General Assembly. This Initiative seeks to promote an integrated and prosperous economy in the Atlantic-African space, enabling the formulation of action plans in areas such as security, peace, blue economy and environmental conservation in the Atlantic.
The Moroccan Foreign Minister said that this country initiative demonstrates Rabat's commitment to strong and effective South-South cooperation. This issue was discussed at a meeting during the high-level week of the seventy-ninth session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Morocco has stepped up its efforts in favour of African cooperation and joint action, following the vision of King Mohammed VI. Through programmes such as the Atlantic Initiative, the country seeks to improve communication and economic integration among 23 African nations and create new economic opportunities to promote stability in the region.
Africa is the world's youngest continent where hopes for growth are highest and on which Morocco is pinning all its hopes to be the continent's head on the international chessboard. This dream of a prosperous and important Africa has been part of the continent's great figures such as Nelson Mandela who pronounced the phrase ‘I dream of an Africa at peace with itself’.