Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, stated on Sunday that the existence of separatist groups in Africa is a direct factor in triggering civil wars, racial and ethnic conflicts, as well as upheavals in the social and cultural fabric that threaten the foundations and stability of the continent’s countries.
The minister’s speech was read on his behalf at the beginning of the fall session of the 43rd edition of the International Cultural Moussem of Assilah and the 36th edition of the Open University Al-Mu’tamid Ibn Abbad. It stated that the security challenges facing the African continent today are, as a whole, unprecedented and unexpected, with a pace that continues to accelerate and a complexity that grows exponentially.
Bourita added that nearly half of the victims of terrorism in the world have died in Africa, especially since terror organizations are expanding and imposing more and more control in geographical areas across the continent. He also noted that Africa remains the continent most affected by crises, conflicts, wars, and the impact of climate change that threaten food security and cause demographic transformations due to forced displacement and migration.
The Minister recalled that Africa also faces the scourge of arms and drug smuggling, aggravated by porous borders and weak and fragile security systems. He also stressed that the lack of good governance and strong institutions has generated a state of political and social instability, dragging the democratic process into a chronic fragility that manifests itself through successive military coups.
The Minister pointed out that separatist ideology not only causes civil wars but also fuels extremism and terrorism. He explained, in this sense, that separatist and terrorist movements have several points of convergence, namely undermining the sovereignty and foundations of states, attracting abundant funding, and replicating operational tactics.
Bourita emphasized the need to establish effective partnerships based on existing structures, including regional organizations. The minister also stressed the need to strengthen synergies and unify efforts on the African continent at national, subregional, and regional levels, taking into account the requirements and specificities of countries.
The Minister reiterated and recalled the Kingdom’s support of regional organizations, adding that it also paved the way for the creation of the Organization of African Unity, and defined the common framework of action.
He also noted that Morocco, in accordance with the High Directions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, has devoted its efforts, since its return to the African Union, to the reunification and development of the pan-African body. This was made possible by adopting the policy advocated by the Sovereign in Africa, based on responsibility, solidarity, and joint action.
In his speech, Nasser Bourita explained that the Moroccan approach is based on the idea of a global and broad engagement at different levels, lending a hand and accompanying brotherly African countries in the different stages of achieving security and development. This is realized through participation in UN peacekeeping forces deployed in Africa and effective contribution to the fight against terrorism, and a comprehensive and innovative approach to eliminate terrorism at its source, accepted by African countries that benefit from the training and education of imams and morchidines.
The Minister also recalled Morocco’s tireless efforts, in parallel to these contributions, to eliminate marginalization and exclusion, fight climate change and threats to food security and combat the root causes of extremism.