Rabat – Foreign Ministers Nasser Bourita of Morocco and Shayea Mohsen Al-Zindani of Yemen met in Banjul, Gambia, on Thursday, pledging to solidify relations between their two countries and bolster cooperation across various sectors.
The discussions, held on the sidelines of the 15th Islamic Summit Conference, underscored Morocco’s unwavering support for Yemen’s unity, stability, and sovereignty under the Presidential Council’s leadership. Minister Bourita also emphasized the rejection of external interference in Yemeni affairs.
Yemen, embroiled in one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises following the 2014 insurgency by Houthi rebels, has faced significant challenges to its stability and governance.
Since the Houthi rebels seized control of the capital Sana’a and subsequently the presidential palace, Yemen has grappled with political instability and widespread suffering.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as of September 2023, an alarming 21.6 million people in Yemen were in dire need of humanitarian assistance or protection.
Bourita’s meeting with his Yemeni counterpart focused on fostering stronger sectoral cooperation, reflecting the long-standing, fraternal bond between the two countries.
“We aspire to strengthen bilateral relations in various sectoral domains,” stated Yemeni Foreign Minister Al-Zindani, highlighting Morocco’s continued backing for a unified and stable Yemen.
This diplomatic engagement comes in the wake of Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak’s reaffirmation of Yemen’s support for Morocco’s territorial integrity during his visit to Marrakech in December 2023.
On that occasion, Bin Mubarak reiterated Yemen’s unwavering stance in favor of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara region.
Emphasizing the historical significance of the relationship between Morocco and Yemen, Minister Al-Zindani concluded by commending the regional leadership of King Mohammed VI and applauding the Moroccan government for its efforts in strengthening bilateral ties.
