‘New bilateral pacts unlocked Nigeria-Morocco strategic partnership’
Mr. Moha Ou Ali Tagma is the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Nigeria. In this interview, he speaks on growing bilateral ties between the two countries and outlines some of benefits of the bilateral agreements signed during the visit of King Mohamm
Daily Trust: How would you assess the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Moroccom, especially with the recent visit of King Mohammed VI to Abuja? Moha Ou Ali Tagma: Morocco and Nigeria are two great African countries that both belong to the same North-West African region. Morocco has roots in the Sahel region including Nigeria, and many Nigerians have their roots and cultural references in Morocco. The two countries had to meet. The history of the two countries, their stature, their responsibilities as leaders in the continent, all that naturally predispose them to combine their efforts and actions for a stable and prosperous Africa. His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s visit to Nigeria, his first as king, marked a historic turning point and projected the relationship between the two countries in a new virtuous dimension for both countries and for all West African countries.
DT: How will the two countries benefit from King Mohammed VI’s visit to Nigeria?
Tagma: The two countries have agreed to join their potentials, resources and experiences in order to build an innovative south-south cooperation model for shared prosperity. It is an alliance for progress. Several agreements were signed during the visit, opening the way to a major strategic partnership. Two of these agreements have continental scope and dimension. The three-billion dollar agreement on the production of fertilizer will have an impact on the economy of the whole region. It will allow the development of agriculture, thus generating greater prosperity and improving food security. The agreement on the construction of the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline has a global reach. It integrates Africa into the global energy equation by physically linking the production zones to the consumption zones, and will help create prosperity along its path.
DT: How would you assess trade relations between the two countries?
Tagma: Trade between the two countries is already significant, but it is below its actual potential. The construction of the Tangiers-Lagos highway, which has been on the United Nations agenda for more than 30 years, the opening of direct maritime connections between the two countries, the greater involvement of the business community and the conclusion of an economic partnership agreement between Morocco and ECOWAS will not only promote the development of trade between the two countries but also contribute to the emergence of an integrated and prosperous Northwest Africa space. Africa presents the paradox of being the richest continent with a largely poor population. It is this situation that should be corrected by engaging in a sustainable development policy aimed at the well-being of the African populations. To this end, Africa must turn the page of marginal and sterile conflicts that hamper its march towards progress. Some of these conflicts were imposed on Africa from the outside during the Cold War era and were based on agendas that were not those of our continent. The Cold War has been over for nearly 30 years but Africa continues to drag its scars. It is simply astounding. Africa deserves better. It must cease to always and indefinitely be the stake and the victim of the games of the world powers.
DT: At the 28th African Union Summit held in Addis Ababa, Morocco was admitted as a full member of the union. What can you tell us about this historical step?
Tagma: It is with great affection and enthusiasm that Morocco has rejoined its institutional family and was reunited with its brothers. “It is good to be back home” as his Majesty King Mohammed VI said in his historical address to African Heads of State gathered at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa. Even if Morocco withdrew from the OAU, it never withdrew from Africa. Morocco has always been advocating African causes and putting African interests on top of its priorities.
Morocco wanted to join the AU to work closely with its African peers within a multilateral context and act for the welfare of Africa and its population. Morocco is willing to share experiences and know how to build a stronger, peaceful and integrated Africa in accordance with the noble principles of Pan-Africanism. The warm welcome of the majority of AU members to the Moroccan request to join the AU during the last summit, despite the hostile moves of some parties, reflects that Morocco is considered a reliable and serious partner on the continent. This warm welcome is not only a tribute but also a responsibility to meet the role Morocco is expected to play within the Pan-African organisation.
DT: President Muhammadu Buhari was the Nigerian Head of State when Morocco withdrew from the OAU and also the president when the country was readmitted into the AU, what do you feel about this coincidence?
Tagma: History sometimes has coincidences, just like the one you mentioned. We should welcome them
The two countries have agreed to join their potentials, resources and experiences in order to build an innovative Southsouth cooperation model for shared prosperity. It is an alliance for progress The agreement on the construction of the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline has a global reach. It integrates Africa into the global energy equation by physically linking the production zones to the consumption zones, and will help create prosperity along its path
when they happen. They are signs of destiny that one should read and decipher. It is a happy and fortunate coincidence. The two Heads of State share the same goals and have the same vision for Africa.
Morocco is a pacifist country that is firmly committed to fighting underdevelopment and its consequences on populations in Africa. It chose to share its experiences and its potentials and put them at the service of the continent. Despite the modest means at its disposal, Morocco has become the first African investor in the ECOWAS region and the second in all of Africa. Its policy is not directed against anybody. It is simply a Pan-Africanist approach against under-development for peace stability and prosperity.