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Rabat – Succes Masra, the Prime Minister of Chad, has commended King Mohammed VI’s Initiative aimed at easing access to the Atlantic Ocean for Sahel States during a discussion in Washington, labeling it as “highly relevant.”
This initiative, unveiled during the King’s address marking the 48th anniversary of the Green March, pointed to a significant shift in Morocco’s Atlantic policy, signaling the dawn of a new strategic approach.
Focused on myriad economic advantages, the initiative seeks to transform the southern Moroccan city of Dakhla into a regional economic epicenter, foster economic integration in the Sahel region, and attract foreign investments.
Addressing a roundtable convened by the prominent American think tank The Atlantic Council as part of his official visit to the United States, Masra underscored Morocco’s role in pioneering South-South cooperation.
“Morocco has paved the way for South-South cooperation,” he remarked, emphasizing the invaluable lessons sub-Saharan countries can glean from the North African country’s endeavors.
West Africa, which accounts for 58.2% of Morocco’s trade within Africa, remains a paramount focus for the Kingdom, underscoring its ardent interest in maritime trade as a pivotal driver of commercial transformation.
Masra, responding to a query posed by Rama Yade, a former French minister and current Director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council, reiterated Chad’s commitment to fostering partnerships conducive to Africa’s integration and development.
Expressing his intention to visit Morocco soon, Masra lauded the country’s innovative initiatives, citing the Noor solar power plant in Ouarzazate as a prime example of transformative projects for the continent.
The meeting, orchestrated by the American research center, also witnessed the participation of several officials from the US administration, underscoring the international resonance and significance of Morocco’s initiative in fostering regional development and cooperation.
This comes in the wake of the ministerial coordination meeting convened on December 23, 2023, in Marrakech, which marked a crucial milestone in the implementation of the royal initiative aimed at facilitating Sahel countries’ access to the Atlantic Ocean.
The Foreign Ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Chad, while expressing gratitude to King Mohammed VI, formally endorsed the initiative and hailed its pivotal role in bolstering regional infrastructure and connectivity in the Sahel.
Masra’s endorsement of the initiative underscored the growing recognition of Morocco’s role as a catalyst for economic integration and development in the Sahel region, forging a path toward greater prosperity and cooperation among African nations.
