Comienza la XXI Cumbre Sahelo-Sahariana en Marruecos

Rabat opens the 21st Sahelo-Saharan Summit (CEND-SAD). In Morocco, ambassadors from several African countries, as well as permanent representatives and experts are meeting to hold this meeting, which has highlighted several strong points, as well as what the future of the organisation will be. The forum will take place over a three-day period and will conclude on the 30th of this month.

It is an event that brings together and involves the participation of all the Foreign Ministers from the 25 member states of CEN-SAD. They are responsible for analysing the current situation in the Sahel, the territory that divides the Maghreb from Central Africa, and how the situation can be improved. The region is plagued by acts of terrorism and violence, which means that the countries bordering the region have to take matters into their own hands.

Mogomtaye Appollinaire is the president chosen this year to organise the summit. He thanked the Alawi kingdom for hosting the ceremony, as well as for having taken the necessary measures to ensure that the meeting would take place as normal with anti-COVID-19 measures, among other things. 

The president began by giving a speech in which he assured that the CEN-SAD community space faces several problems in the conflicts that occur in these areas, in addition to other inconveniences related to the security of the territory, health and the economy. Another of the strong points, and one in which more projects are starting to be created in this region, is the plans related to sustainable development.

"If we make CEN-SAD a strong institution, it will help member states to face their challenges," said Appollinaire.

The meeting coincides with a time of ongoing regional and global tension. On the one hand, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is mobilising most countries against Vladimir Putin who, in the face of the economic and political blockade that the nation he presides over is suffering, is responding severely with historic price rises in the products he exports, such as hydrocarbons. As a result, some basic commodities are becoming scarce in many territories and the population is unable to access them safely and cheaply. 

On the other hand, Morocco is receiving much more support than before over the Western Sahara issue. Spain has recently abandoned its neutral position on the conflict after 47 years without taking a position and has advocated Alawi sovereignty in the area. It is also worth noting that the summit coincides with the visit of Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State. The North African nation has reiterated on numerous occasions that Western Sahara is part of Morocco, which is why it is considered one of the Kingdom's greatest allies.

The latest data indicate that the Sahel region has been the epicentre of terrorism and violence in 2021 worldwide. Agencia EFE highlights that 48% of the world's deaths from terrorist attacks have occurred in this area much more frequently than normal. All world experts claim that deaths are declining, but that attacks are on the rise and this confirms that causing harm and destruction is the main goal of armed groups. 

This is because in recent years, attacks have been on the decline, but at the same time, the groups have shown a show of organisation and efficiency that is becoming more and more perpetuated. At the international level, this is what is most worrying, because if more groups are found to be coordinated and united in large numbers, attacks can grow on a large scale and can even cross borders.