Representatives of African countries taking part in the ministerial coordination meeting on the Royal Initiative of granting Sahel countries access to the Atlantic, held Saturday in Marrakesh, agreed to set up a National Task Force in each country to come up with modalities to operationalize the pioneering idea.
On the 48th anniversary of the Green March, King Mohammed VI had unveiled a Royal Initiative to improve regional integration and connectivity, achieve upward socioeconomic mobility and enhance living conditions by linking Sahel countries to regional transportation and communication networks, mainly Moroccan ones.
The stakeholders, mainly the foreign ministers of Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad, convened under the chairmanship of Morocco’s foreign minister Nasser Bourita, also agreed to finalize proposals, asap, for submission to King Mohammed VI and African leaders from the said Sahel states, signaling a wide adherence to this initiative of regional and international scope.
The African participants praised King Mohammed VI’s efforts and Morocco’s readiness to open its road, port, and rail infrastructure to Sahel countries. They also thanked Morocco for its hospitality and successful organization of the event, recognizing the country’s role in fostering such collaborative endeavor.
Speaking at the event, Bourita explained the essence of the initiative, stating, “King Mohammed VI’s Initiative to give Atlantic access to the Sahel countries represents a strategic turning point for our countries.”
Bourita highlighted the historical ties between Morocco and the Sahel nations, emphasizing the King’s unwavering belief in the potential of the region. He also outlined the initiative’s future benefits of fostering economic growth, regional connectivity, and sustainable development.
Bourita concluded by reiterating the sovereign’s call for genuine wealth creation, transformative win-win projects, and shaping minds through the power of education.