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Rabat – The 28th Summit of the African Union closed with the decision to welcome Morocco back to the pan-African body, a return that has been wildly reported by international news outlets.
AFP, the French Press Agency, was the first to break the news of Morocco’s readmission, stating how this historic return has been achieved “despite stiff resistance from some member states over the status of Western Sahara.”
But such resistance mattered very little against “an intense diplomatic campaign,” said the AFP. With its unqualified success, “Rabat wins its bet.”
The American Wall Street Journal welcomed Morocco’s return to “its institutional family.” The economic daily reported how the reintegration of Morocco in the African Union represents the return of an “economic power.”
In an article written by Martina Stevis and Gabrielle Steinhauser, the newspaper highlighted how at a time when the African Union is seeking to “distance itself” from international funding and become more self-sufficient in the face of “isolationist tendencies” in the United States and Europe, the Pan-African organization won an internationally well connected member.
Wall Street Journal also applauded Morocco’s cooperation with the United States in “a fight against terror,” stating how the Kingdom marked its emergence as a “significant economic and political power” in the continent, enjoying a notable international stature.
Reuters also reported Morocco’s return to the AU, stating how this step is “bringing one of Africa’s largest economies into the fold and raising hopes of a softening of one of its thorniest territorial disputes.”
The news agency highlighted the economic impact ofMorocco’s return, stating that “readmission to the AU should smooth Morocco’s entry into fast-growing African economies to the south and help reduce its reliance on stagnant European markets to the north.”
Le Monde Afrique described Morocco’s return as a “victory for the Kingdom.” According to the newspaper, the decision was reached by consensus, without need for a vote.
“There was a real willingness of Alpha Condé (the newly elected Guinean president to head the AU) to reach a consensus.”
Citing an official of the AU commission, the daily noted that the Guinean president didn’t give South Africa and Algeria much option, asking them to “formally position themselves for or against Morocco’s membership”.
For its part, the news channel CNBC-Africa, which is based in Johannesburg, welcomed the return of Morocco, stressing that this reintegration “comes at the right time”, as Africa needs members of Morocco’s calibre to face economic and political challenges.
