Mohamed VI's leadership in Africa against the coronavirus

King Mohamed VI of Morocco has proposed to several African heads of State the creation of an operational framework to deal with the tragic consequences of the pandemic that is growing dangerously throughout the continent. Mohamed VI has already held the first talks on the subject with the presidents of Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal. 

According to the official Moroccan news agency, MAP, the proposal made by King Alaoui aims to "establish a framework agreement to support African countries in the different phases of managing the pandemic". 

According to political observers of African news, the total lack of reaction on the part of the continental organisation, the African Union, has favoured the Moroccan initiative to fill the gap. The operational structure proposed by Mohamed VI does not replace the initiatives and responsibilities of each country and each African government, and only aims to support them and coordinate efforts. 

"It is a pragmatic initiative oriented towards action", announced a communiqué from the Royal Palace in Rabat, "which will allow the sharing of experiences and results to confront the health, economic and social impact of the pandemic". 

The shortage of health resources and appropriate medicines, as well as the lack of hospital facilities, places the continent in a fragile position. According to diplomatic sources, Rabat's proposal should translate into joint and supportive use of resources, planning of active measures, and an economic and social recovery plan for the post-pandemic period. 

The Moroccan state could use the airline Royal Air Maroc, which is seriously suffering the effects of the crisis with a possible collapse, as an operational instrument for coordination and relations, and place it at the service of the continental fight against COVID-19. The RAM, which has just joined the international civil aviation holding company Oneworld, has routes open to more than half the continent, namely 39 countries, including all the North African countries, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Mauritania. 

Mohammed VI's idea may revolutionise the continent due to its strategic and political consequences, but above all it responds to an urgent need, that of the survival of the more than 1.2 billion Africans who are facing the deadly pandemic.