Mohamed VI lanza una iniciativa africana para combatir el coronavirus

King Mohammed VI is once again demonstrating continental leadership. The Moroccan sovereign has now launched a proposal to the African leaders to fight the coronavirus pandemic in a joint and coordinated way. WHO estimates for Africa predict a bleak future if they do not act quick and firmly.   

According to a statement from the royal cabinet, the head of the Moroccan state held two telephone conversations on Monday with the president of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, and with the president of Senegal, Macky Sall, regarding the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in the continent.   

In short, the monarch's initiative calls for the establishment by African heads of State of an operational framework for the concerted management of the various phases of the pandemic. "This is a pragmatic and action-oriented initiative, enabling the sharing of experiences and best practices to address the health, economic and social impact of the pandemic.”, says the Moroccan national news agency (MAP). 

"I have thanked His Majesty for this happy initiative, and expressed my willingness to work for the success of the process which will soon be the subject of a video conference between the heads of state and government of the countries concerned," wrote Senegalese President Macky Sall on his personal Twitter account.

There have been many initiatives of continental scope led by Mohamed VI in recent years. The main milestone of the monarch, nicknamed 'the African' by the continent's media, was the return of Morocco - after 34 years outside the institution - to the heart of the African Union, effective January 30, 2017.   

Last July, Morocco, along with 51 other African countries, signed up to the African Continental Free Trade Zone. Already in 2000, a few months after his arrival on the throne, the sovereign announced the cancellation of the external debt incurred by the African countries on the occasion of a Europe-Africa Summit in Cairo.   

Morocco's involvement in the economy of the continent is growing. According to data contained in the draft Moroccan finance law of 2019, the neighbouring country is the leading continental investor in West Africa, which receives 64.7% of total Moroccan investment in the continent, and second in Africa after South Africa.   

The main sectors of Moroccan investment are agriculture, insurance, banking, cement, electricity, fertilizers, real estate and mining. Morocco's exports to the rest of Africa grew by an average of 13% per year to reach 2.1 billion euros. Ethiopia remains Morocco's largest customer, followed by Algeria, Mauritania, Senegal, Nigeria and the Ivory Coast.  

Morocco's Investment and Trade Agency organized the Africa Investment Meeting Roadshow in Rabat at the end of April last year. The objective of the event was to position Morocco as a center for foreign investment in Africa. 

“In the future, our action will have to be based on more proactive and pre-emptive strategies. We need therefore to promote a new model of development that breaks with the norms of the past. A model that is in line with the realities of a continent with vast potential. It is this ambition that is at the very heart of the vision carried at the highest level by King Mohammed VI for an African continent that resolutely moves forward on the path of emergence. Comprehensive in its approach, inclusive in its focus and supportive in its action, this vision is expressed through Morocco’s firm and unwavering commitments towards Africa”. Morocco's Ambassador to South Africa Youssef Amrani wrote last week on a podium at the South African Daily Maverick. 

Meanwhile, the coronavirus continues its slow and inexorable advance through Africa. According to the website of The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the continent had 14,524 confirmed cases of coronavirus, 788 deaths and 2,570 cured on Tuesday. Other sources assure that the barrier of 15,000 infections has already been overcome. Four countries have passed the threshold of 1,000 official cases: South Africa, Algeria, Egypt and Morocco. "The best advice for Africa is to prepare for the worst and prepare for it today," said World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyes.