Luanda: Morocco, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, has made peace, security, and stability in Africa a strategic choice and a sustained commitment through its efforts in conflict prevention, mediation, peacekeeping, and post-conflict reconstruction, stated the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, in Luanda.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, Akhannouch, representing His Majesty the King at the African Union’s extraordinary session focused on enhancing conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms in Africa, was accompanied by Nasser Bourita, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mohamed Arrouchi, the Kingdom’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and Saadia Alaoui, Morocco’s Ambassador to Angola.
The Head of Government emphasized that the Royal Vision is rooted in the belief that peace, security, and development are interconnected and inseparable. He stressed the need to address the root causes of conflicts, including economic, social, institutional, climatic, and humanitarian factors, for lasting prevention.
Akhannouch highlighted the importance of investing in elements that foster lasting stability, such as fulfilling the aspirations of youth, empowering women, creating job opportunities, and enhancing food, water, and energy security. He also emphasized the development of infrastructure and connectivity on a continental level and the promotion of economic integration.
He pointed out that these initiatives are not merely development policies but fundamental pillars that significantly contribute to reinforcing peace and stability. He advocated for a shift from a conflict management approach to one that creates conditions for peace and prevents conflicts from arising.
In this context, he noted that His Majesty King Mohammed VI places significant emphasis on effective, solidarity-based South-South cooperation, prioritizing African citizens and translating African solidarity into tangible projects in areas like food, water, energy, health, training, investment, and infrastructure.
Akhannouch also addressed the need to confront emerging challenges, including climate change, water stress, terrorism, transnational organized crime, and the proliferation of non-state armed groups, which threaten state authority and territorial integrity. He also mentioned external interference and the risks of misinformation from the misuse of modern technologies.
He emphasized Africa’s need to strengthen its capacity to rely on its own resources and means to ensure its security, stability, and future. Akhannouch concluded by asserting that Africa requires robust and balanced international partnerships while also enhancing its ability to finance its own priorities and ensure their sustainability, whether through plans to bolster peace, security, stability, or sustainable development projects, emphasizing Africa’s self-reliance.