Rabat – Morocco has called on the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) to prioritize a coordinated and viable regional approach to tackle the growing threats of terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel region.
During the AU-PSC meeting on the situation in the Sahel, the Moroccan delegation emphasized the significance of leveraging complementary mechanisms such as the Accra initiative, the Nouakchott Process, and the Africa Reflection Group to combat the multifaceted challenges facing the region.
The Moroccan delegation emphasized the need for the AU Commission, AU Member States, and the international community to extend support to countries in transition, assisting their efforts in establishing peace and stability within their borders.
They further stressed the importance of adopting comprehensive, holistic, integrated, and multidimensional approaches aimed at consolidating peace, enhancing security, and promoting sustainable development in the Sahel.
In addition, the Moroccan delegation reminded attendees that it was among the first countries to draw attention to the growing threat of criminal activities carried out by terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and drug trafficking networks in the Sahel-Saharan region.
Through its experience and in-depth knowledge of the situation, Morocco has established itself as a credible actor and interlocutor in the global fight against terrorism and transnational organized crime.
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The delegation expressed hope that the consultation led by the High-Level independent Panel on Security and Development in the Sahel, headed by former Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou, would bolster regional coordination efforts in addressing the complex security and development issues faced by the Sahel.
Morocco calls for a unified, comprehensive approach to counter terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel underscores the urgent need for regional cooperation and international support in tackling the challenges plaguing the region.
With the situation in the Sahel growing increasingly dire, it is hoped that this plea will spur concerted efforts towards peace, stability, and development in the affected countries.
