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Rabat – Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, met in Rabat today with the new African Union (AU) Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Bankole Adeoye.
The meeting focused on peace and security in the African continent, recent reforms carried out by the AU, as well as Morocco’s major role in the Pan-African Organization in terms of expertise and experience sharing.
Bourita reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to supporting all reform initiatives aiming to strengthen peace and security in the continent “on the basis of essential principles relating to governance, parallel diplomacy and peace and stability.”
Adeoye echoed Bourita’s concern for consolidating stability and security across Africa. “It is essential to consolidate the reform process in the field of peace and security, in which Morocco is actively participating, by working with all AU member countries in a spirit of harmony,” he said in a statement.
Over the last 6 months, the AU PSC has been involved in the execution of a new organizational chart, with the active participation of Morocco after its return to the AU, he added.
Adeoye stressed the need for a shared, continental willingness to combat terrorism and violent extremism in Africa, underlining that the continent “has all the means and tools to provide solutions for the existing problems.”
Bourita shared Adeoye’s perspective, adding that “Africa has all the capacities and skills to overcome the challenges it faces and ensure its development in tandem with its stability in complete independence.”
He added that Morocco is committed to promoting peace and stability in Africa. “The Vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI makes Morocco an active player, since its return to the AU.”
This is Bankole Adeoye’s first visit to Morocco since his election in February as head of AU Peace and Security Council.
Upon Adeoye’s election, Morocco reiterated its support by highlighting the principles of unity, effective solidarity, good neighborliness and non-interference in the internal affairs of AU member countries.
The visit of the Nigerian diplomat to Morocco comes after the adoption by the UN Security Council of Resolution 2602 on the Western Sahara conflict.
Like other UNSC resolutions since 2007, Resolutions 2602 made the case for political compromise and pragmatism, tacitly recognizing Morocco’s autonomy plan as a viable and credible step toward a sustainable solution to the Sahara dispute.
