Morocco to Spearhead African Union’s Efforts to Tackle Immigration

Rabat – As the designated leader of the African Union on issues of migration, Mohammed V will present today a report to the African Union summit for deliberation, Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita announced at a press conference yesterday.

One key point in King’s report is that misconceptions underlying immigration are the real issue facing governments and societies in Africa and beyond.

African immigration stands at 14% of the global immigration flow, with 75% of the immigration flow taking place inside the continent — only one out of every four African immigrants actually reaches Europe. Yet, Africa is accused of invading other countries and other continents, explains Bourita.

The diplomat underscored that Morocco’s efforts within the African Union fall within King Mohammed VI’s vision as anchored in his 2017 speech to the African Union Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“As soon as Morocco regains its position within the union and partake in the efforts to implement its founding agenda, you (African leaders) will see tangible results as Morocco will work diligently and contribute to the efforts to unify the continent and achieve progress,” King Mohammed VI said.

This year’s 35 annual AU Assembly marks the fifth year after Morocco rejoined the continental union.

Recalling the King’s speech, Bourita pointed out that Morocco’s efforts within the African Union are in line with the royal recommendation reiterated in the 2017 speech.

Morocco played a pivotal role in paving the way for the creation of the Organization of African Unity, the precursor of the African Union, through the Casablanca summit held 60 years ago.

The AU’s 35th annual summit coincides with a number of positive developments on the continent, especially relating to the African Free Trade zone, Bourita said.

One of the positive developments is that Africa now voices a unified position on multiple issues thanks to intercontinental cooperation, according to Bourita.

But the Moroccan diplomat pointed out numerous security challenges facing the continent, including the return of military coups in certain regions and the terrorism threats that hinder continental development.

Close to 25% of of the world’s terrorist attacks in recent months occurred on the African continent, with seven African countries ranking in the top 10 countries worldwide under constant threat of terrorism attacks.

The concentration and proximity of terrorist, armed, and separatist groups pose a significant threat to regional stability, Bourita explained.

Speaking of the COVID-19 crisis, Bourita highlighted that the vaccination rate in Africa remains under 10%, while the continent is home to a quarter of the world population.

Morocco’s vaccine manufacturing ambitions will contribute to boosting the continental vaccination rate, he said.

Regarding the central issue behind the 35th annual summit, Bourita expressed Morocco’s willingness to share expertise and contribute to the continent’s effort to achieve food security.

Morocco has amassed substantial experience through multiple agriculture programs, including the Green Program and the 2020-2030 Green Generation Strategy.

As a global leader in the manufacture of fertilizers, the North African country is becoming the undisputed continental leader on agriculture-related matters.