Addis-Ababa, January 29, 2013 (MAP)Morocco’s minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Saâd Dine El Otmani, said his visit to Addis-Ababa, which is hosting the African Union summit, is meant to affirm Morocco’s presence in Africa and defend the Moroccan Sahara issue.From the opening of the AU’s 20th summit, Morocco was present in Addis Ababa to get in touch with friend countries, he told reporters, adding that he had talks with several African heads of state and ministers.These meetings were an opportunity to affirm Morocco’s presence in Africa and promote "our partnership with friend countries through new cooperation programs in the political, social and cultural fields", he pointed out.
El Otmani added that his visit to the Ethiopian capital is meant to uphold Morocco’s interests and affirm the kingdom’s legitimate stance on the Sahara issue.
“Panafricanism and African renaissance” is the theme of the 20th summit of the African Union from which Morocco withdrew in 1984 to protest the illegal admission of the puppet Sahara Republic.
