Morocco committed to Africa
Continent will be able to emerge stronger from Covid-19 as long as unity prevails
ON JULY 30, 2020, the Kingdom of Morocco celebrates the 21st anniversary of the accession to the Throne of H.M. King Mohammed VI. On this national day of celebration, Morocco wishes to express solidarity and love to all its friends, partners and sister nations.
This year has been exceptional for Morocco. Under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the spirit of fraternity and humanitarianism prevailed in our national and foreign policy. Internally, Morocco spared no effort to protect its people from the devastating health and economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. From the very beginning, we took courageous, strong and effective measures to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, and did what was necessary to care for those who are most impacted by this devastating outbreak.
Over the past two decades, Morocco has been constantly making strides in a lucid and serene manner, to consolidate democracy and promote development and prosperity based on a genuine and humanistic approach. We continue to do so by undertaking major reform processes with the unwavering commitment to bridge the identified gaps and to develop initiatives that will promote citizens’ participation in politics, decentralisation, human rights, gender equality, and equitable human development.
King Mohammed VI’s commitment to promoting peace, security, stability, reform and sustainable development goes beyond Morocco’s borders.
It is this very same determination and spirit of unity that underpins our foreign policy. H.M. King Mohammed VI’s initiative to support and work with more than 15 African sister nations in their national efforts and endeavours to fight the Covid-19 pandemic confirms, yet again, that Morocco’s commitment for a united, strong and resilient Africa persists.
The Kingdom, a founding father of the OAU, has continuously joined efforts with African partners. Integration, stability and prosperity are at the heart of our priorities.
Morocco has contributed actively towards international efforts to restore and maintain peace, security and stability in a number of African countries. With regard to the Sahara issue, the UN Security Council defined the approach to resolve this regional dispute – this approach achieves a political, realistic, practicable and sustainable solution based on compromise, and considers the autonomy initiative proposed by Morocco as a serious and credible compromise to end this long-standing regional dispute.
Morocco is committed to working in good faith with the UN and the international community to move this positive, UN-led process further ahead.
Covid-19 should be a major geopolitical turning point in Africa’s path toward development and prosperity.
A responsible, concerted and continental management of the pandemic is decisive and crucial, as it will greatly affect our success or failure as Africans.
Our economies have been impacted, our growth prospects slowed down, and our health systems put under considerable strain, but courage should always guide our actions and humanity should always be at the heart of our priorities.
Africa can and will emerge stronger from this sanitary crisis as long as unity prevails over division, solidarity over egoism, and lucidity over outdated ideologies. We need to step up our efforts within the AU to speak with one voice to shape and influence the international decision-making process.
Africa should rely on its own capacities. It can afford to do so, since our youth, our people, our assets, and our skills are demonstrating unexpected levels of resilience. Being relevant today means thinking about tomorrow. Perhaps Africa will be the pioneer and set an example for others to follow. “An Africa of Health” could be one of the most valuable outcomes of this crisis – which is not only a stigma but also a great opportunity.
It is my sincerest desire that this spirit also prevails bilaterally, where the ongoing dynamic relationship between Morocco and South Africa is taken to the next level.
Our countries have made a joint commitment to work together for the mutual benefit of our people, and I am fully committed to pursuing this path by building bridges of trust, co-operation and mutual understanding.
Our artists, civil society actors, intellectuals and business community members are invited to join these efforts to create platforms and links towards unity.
YOUSSEF AMRANI