Moroccan Council in Scandinavia & Nordic Countries through its branch in Norway has recently organized a conference in Oslo on the occasion on Morocco’s return to the African Union, delivered by Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Gain, Professor at Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra.
The event was organized in coordination with the branch in Norway of the International organization “Initiatives of Change”, as part of the celebration of Africa Day, and was attended by several social, economic and political stakeholders and some diplomats.
This conference falls within the Coordination’s steady work to support national issues, and promote relations between Morocco and Norway, with special regard to the necessity to enhance the historical and geographical ties between Morocco and the African continent.
It also comes as an effectuation of an important part of the annual action plan launched by the Moroccan Council’s Branch in Norway, by bringing to limelight the impact of Morocco’s rejoining the AU on the continent, which will certainly provide a fertile ground for future cooperation in social and economic development.
Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Gain has underscored Morocco’s esteemed position in Africa with the preponderant role the Kingdom plays to ensure sustainable peace and security, especially in the Sahel and Sahara.
The presentation was an important platform that raised great interest among the audience who interacted strongly through discerning questions and deep comments. In the same vein, Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Gain has stressed that Morocco’s return to AU comes as crowning of a long process of cooperation that aims at strengthening the role of Morocco in the continent with a participatory approach based on win-win relations with other African countries, not to ignore the cultural dimension of this approach, by highlighting the kingdom’s endeavors to fight violent extremism through the dissemination of the values of Moderate Islam in West Africa and elsewhere.
Mr. Gain has explained the reasons that lie behind Morocco’s withdrawal from the former Organization of African Unity (OAU), with regard to the unwelcome developments against international legitimacy inside the organization at that time, stressing that the Kingdom regains its position in the African Union to continue to play its pivotal role from within the African community, and to boost development in the continent.
The south-south cooperation led by Morocco provides a solid framework to enhance the kingdom’s presence in a continent, as a frontrunner in various areas, notably in finance, agroindustry, renewable energy, through bilateral agreements with many African countries, like Rwanda, Ethiopia, Nigeria and others.
Mr. Gain has put accent on the great work done by Rabat in order to consolidate African unity, which has always been of priority in the Moroccan foreign policy, especially in the African continent.
Members of “Initiatives of Change” (an international organization) showed their deep appreciation of this debate, and expressed their firm desire for fruitful cooperation with the Norwegian branch of the Moroccan Council in Scandinavia & Nordic Countries, in areas of mutual interest, especially about Africa.
Moroccan Council in Scandinavia and Nordic Countries (MCSN)
Chairman
