Rabat – Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita has reiterated Morocco’s solidarity with African countries to end the COVID-19 pandemic at the 40th ordinary session of the African Union Executive Council.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on Bourita’s participation and intervention at the AU session in a press release.
In Addis Ababa, Bourita underscored that the collective African ambition is to create “a united Africa,” adding that “African solidarity is essential to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on African economies.”
The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has caused severe economic difficulties for the regional economy, argued the minister.
To address socio-economic issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bourita called to join forces to advance “vaccine manufacturing capacities in Africa and to vaccinate all of our populations.”
Additionally, Morocco’s chief diplomat recalled King Mohammed VI’s launch of construction works for the largest African vaccine manufacturing unit on January 27. The project is expected to supply 60% of the continent’s vaccine needs by 2030.
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Bourita added that Morocco was among the first countries to meet national and continental sanitary needs through manufacturing masks, antiseptic gels, among other equipment. He noted that the Moroccan government has provided monetary support to social segments impacted by the economic crisis created by the pandemic.
Throughout the session, the minister urged Africa Union organs and member states to expand their cooperation to address COVID-19 related challenges. He also applauded the work of the African Union’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), commending “the enormous work carried out by the African Vaccination Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) to secure millions of COVID–19 vaccine doses.”
Bourita concluded his intervention by highlighting the role of the African diaspora in supporting financially the continent through remittances then urged the African Union and its partners to address socio-economic challenges caused by the pandemic.
