Dakhla: Participants in the third edition of the Policy Conference of the Coalition for Autonomy in the Sahara (AUSACO) visited the Dakhla Atlantique Port construction site on Thursday. During the visit, AUSACO members learned about the main components of this major project and witnessed firsthand the steady progress of construction on the future port, which is currently about 57% complete.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, as part of the new development model for Southern Provinces, the Dakhla Atlantique Port aims to transform Dakhla-Oued Eddahab into a regional hub for maritime industries and international trade. This megaproject, of economic and geostrategic significance, reflects the Royal commitment to making Southern regions a growth engine focused on Africa.
On the same day, participants also visited higher education institutions, notably the National School of Commerce and Management (ENCG) in Dakhla and the Higher School of Technology (EST), where they learned about the role of these institu
tions in training qualified human capital capable of supporting economic growth in the region.
In a statement to MAP, Souleymane Satigui Sidibé, vice president of the special delegation of the Commune II City Council in the District of Bamako, praised the strategic importance of the Dakhla Atlantique port, describing it as a major infrastructure project. Satigui Sidibé, who is also president of the Sahelian Initiative for Research and Analysis on Conflict Transformation (TIRAC-SAHEL), noted that Dakhla is home to technical universities and business schools with capacity, already hosting students from several African nations.
For his part, Pedro Diaz de la Vega Garcia, a specialist in political affairs, statistical information, crisis management, satellite imagery, and innovation project management, expressed admiration for the future Dakhla Atlantique port and the quality of its facilities. According to him, this wave of development currently sweeping Southern provinces benefits not only Morocco but also fi
ts into a broader African perspective, particularly for younger generations who are urged to play a key role in their countries.
Following these visits, AUSACO members engaged in discussions with local elected officials, members of the Regional Council, and the region’s chioukhs, particularly regarding recent diplomatic developments concerning the issue of the Moroccan Sahara.