Morocco’s initiative to become the gateway to the Atlantic for landlocked countries in the Sahel region has found its first supporters.
Marrakech – In his last speech on the so-called “Green March”, the Moroccan king outlined his new strategy with regard to the Sahel states. A region threatened by instability, drought and terrorism. For the Moroccan king, stability in this region goes hand in hand with positive economic development, which in turn is primarily linked to access to the Atlantic. The new major ports in Western Sahara / Moroccan Sahara will serve as a gateway to the Atlantic for landlocked countries in the Sahel zone. This should enable countries to better export their products and, above all, raw materials and import capital goods. The North African kingdom would thus become a hub for the entire region, be able to better market its own services and strengthen acceptance of its own sovereign claim to Western Sahara. But the kingdom doesn’t just want to provide the ports in the so-called southern provinces.
This initiative to enable Sahel countries’ access to the Atlantic Ocean was highlighted in the speech of King Mohammed VI. presented to the nation on the 48th anniversary of the Green March.
In this speech, the sovereign said: “I therefore propose to launch an international initiative to allow the countries of the Sahel to access the Atlantic,” adding that “Morocco is ready to strengthen its road, port and railway infrastructures “to make available to these sister countries”.
However, the success of such an initiative depends on the infrastructure in the Sahel countries being developed and connected to the transport and communication networks existing in the region,” emphasized the King.
Morocco – Royal speech on the 48th anniversary of the “Green March”
First meeting of interested states in Marrakech.
The Moroccan Foreign Ministry organized a first conference in the royal city of Marrakech, to which all countries interested in such cooperation were invited.
In a joint press statement at the ministerial-level coordination meeting held on Saturday at the invitation of Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, senior diplomats from several African countries expressed their governments’ support for this initiative.
The foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Chad expressed their countries’ support for King Mohammed VI’s international initiative in Marrakech on Saturday. which should give the Sahel states access to the Atlantic Ocean and offer great opportunities for the economic transformation of the entire region.
Source X (Twitter) Moroccan Foreign Ministry – Conference on Cooperation in the Sahel
Foreign ministers agree to set up working groups to advance cooperation.
The Foreign Ministers agreed to set up a national task force in each country to prepare and propose the modalities for the implementation of this initiative.
In this regard, they welcomed the inclusive and participatory approach in the implementation of this initiative and reaffirmed their common desire to consolidate cooperative relations through joint cross-sectoral, structuring and innovative partnerships that reflect the values of South-South cooperation and common development, the state quoted MAP news agency from the joint press release.
“They further agreed to present the proposals submitted to the Heads of State of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Chad, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger to the attention of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. and his brothers should be completed as soon as possible,” it continues.
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2023-12-24 22:24:57
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