Driss Lachguar, the First Secretary of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces, gave a speech this Tuesday, at the party’s central headquarters in Rabat, on the occasion of the meeting of the Africa Committee of the Socialist International.
Here is the full text:
Dear comrade members of the Africa Committee,
We are pleased that the Kingdom of Morocco is hosting the meeting of the Africa Committee of the Socialist International, and I am delighted to meet with you today to discuss a subject that constitutes one of the fundamental pillars of our foreign policy, namely the Moroccan-African partnership.
This relationship was not born yesterday, but it is rooted in history, forged by the leaders of Morocco throughout the ages, and today led by King Mohammed VI. Commercial relations consolidated by religious and cultural ties, and strengthened by our common efforts in development and cooperation. For centuries, Morocco has been a central link between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, always open to its continental neighbors. Relations between Morocco and African countries have developed into a mutual partnership that has profoundly influenced both parties.
Thanks to its geographical position and its cultural openness, Morocco has offered a platform for the exchange of ideas and knowledge, thus contributing to the construction of bases for fruitful cooperation reflecting the reciprocal influence between it and the countries of the continent.
Even today, these links are strengthened over time, as evidenced by continued educational and cultural exchanges. For example, Moroccan students travel to countries like Senegal and Tunisia, not only to receive an education, but also to gain new perspectives that enrich their understanding of African diversity.
In return, Moroccan major schools open their doors to the best African talents, particularly from sub-Saharan African countries, thus creating a space for academic and intellectual interaction that benefits both parties. This mutual exchange has made Morocco a model to follow in terms of African solidarity, allowing it to become a cultural and intellectual bridge connecting the north and south of the continent, embodying an integrated vision of cooperation based on the exchange of expertise and skills development for the sustainable development of all of Africa.
In the same spirit, we can only be proud that Morocco has signed more than 1,000 cooperation and partnership agreements with the majority of African countries, in all areas, whether cultural, economic, social, educational. or even agricultural.
This figure reflects Morocco’s deep commitment to developing partnerships based on the values of solidarity and cooperation. Our return to the African Union in 2017 marked a strategic turning point in strengthening these relations, through our commitment to building South-South partnerships. Morocco seeks through these partnerships to achieve a win-win logic, as evidenced by the major projects it is proposing today on the continent, aiming to make development and stability the main levers to achieve progress and prosperity of African peoples.
A project such as the gas pipeline which will connect Nigeria to Morocco passing through 13 African countries does not only represent a pipeline for the transport of gas, but goes beyond to become a real development path. Some of the countries crossed by this pipeline have an electricity connection rate of less than 15%, which will transform this project into a real platform for accelerating development and economic integration between these countries, with positive repercussions on development levels. and stability.
Morocco’s awareness of the importance of the Atlantic area as a platform for development and continental integration, given that African countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean produce 56% of the continent’s gross domestic product and represent almost half of its population, led to the launch of the Atlantic initiative. This initiative, which brings together 23 African countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean, aims to create an economic and development space that will lead the entire continent towards stability, the creation of opportunities and the integration of its peoples.
In this regard, Morocco is developing major infrastructure projects in the areas of road, air and maritime transport, constituting a communication framework with its African roots, and helping to guarantee high quality infrastructure, not only for Morocco, but for all African countries. For example, the Atlantic port of Dakhla, which aims to become the largest in Africa, will strengthen trade and communication between countries on the continent.
The opening of Morocco to countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean is accompanied by a particular opening to the countries of the Sahel, by integrating them into this initiative and offering them access to the Atlantic Ocean with all the opportunities it offers. offer to diversify partnerships, strengthen their commercial independence and boost their development. This will make them real development platforms within the continent, creating enormous possibilities and opportunities for integration for their people.
On the security front, Morocco’s firm commitment to promoting peace and stability in Africa is at the heart of its strategic priorities. Morocco is one of the main African contributors to the United Nations peacekeeping forces in the continent’s conflict zones. These efforts reflect a clear Moroccan doctrine based on respect for the sovereignty of States and non-interference in their internal affairs. This doctrine is not only a commitment to the principles of international law, but also reflects a sincere belief in the principles of African brotherhood and shared responsibility for the sustainability of security on the continent. Morocco also seeks to strengthen community and spiritual security in order to create a climate conducive to the advancement of the development process.
Diplomatically, Morocco is working assiduously to strengthen dialogue between the countries of the continent, based on a clear vision that peace is the basis of development and regional cooperation is the path to common prosperity. Bringing together points of view between African countries is an integral part of Moroccan foreign policy, aiming to build bridges of understanding and strengthen solidarity between African peoples, far from conflicts and tensions.
This diplomatic vision is materialized in Morocco’s continued efforts to develop strategic partnerships at the regional and continental levels, aimed at transforming Africa into a space of shared opportunities and equitable prosperity. Morocco’s engagement in major continental initiatives, such as programs to combat terrorism and organized crime, reflects its central role as a responsible and reliable actor in achieving regional security.
Morocco’s vision for the future of Africa boils down to transforming the continent into a continent of opportunities, where development and peace are the fundamental pillars of its rebirth. With this spirit, Morocco remains a committed partner, not only for the security of the continent, but also for the well-being and prosperity of its peoples.
My dear comrades,
In this context, the leading role played by the Socialist Union of Popular Forces as a progressive force having actively contributed to the formulation of a common vision for the future of the African continent stands out. For decades, the party has engaged with deep political and militant awareness in a strategic dialogue with the great African socialist and liberation movements, thus helping to establish the bases of intellectual and political cooperation between the different forces aspiring to build a liberated and advanced Africa.
The USFP has historically been linked to influential leaders who left their mark on the African and international struggle, such as Nelson Mandela, who embodied the struggle against apartheid, and Léopold Sédar Senghor, who founded the African cultural and intellectual renaissance. These relationships were not just passing relationships, but were part of the party’s vision to strengthen African solidarity and anchor the values of liberation and social justice.
The USFP continues to play an active role in various continental intellectual organizations and forums, representing a strong voice defending Africa’s right to equitable and sustainable development.
This commitment stems from the party’s belief that Africa, with its natural resources and promising human potential, is not only the continent of the future, but also the center of global progressive change movements. In the vision of the Socialist Union, Africa is not only a reservoir of resources or a space for international competition, but it is a cornerstone for the construction of a new world order based on justice and dignity. human.
Through this vision, the Socialist Union affirms that the challenges facing Africa are not simple cyclical crises, but result from the absence of justice in the current international system. This is why the party is working to promote a new concept of development and African solidarity, where human dignity and social justice are the cornerstones of any future project.
Dear comrades,
Moroccan-African cooperation is not only a political or economic choice, but it expresses a deep commitment which stems from historical, cultural and geographical links uniting Morocco to its neighbors on the continent. This cooperation represents an enlightened vision aimed at building a united and strong continent, proud of its identity and exploiting its immense potential to achieve a global and lasting renaissance.
Let us continue together to build a common future where each African country plays a leading role in achieving development and prosperity. Let us show the world that Africa is not only a continent of challenges, but also a continent of opportunities and creativity, capable of charting a new path based on South-South cooperation and the values of justice and solidarity. With this conviction and commitment, we can together transform our vision into a brilliant reality, placing Africa in the place it deserves among the nations of the world.
I wish the work of your committee every success. Once again, welcome to Rabat, the city of lights.
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