Dakhla: Speaking at a ministerial plenary session during the 5th MD Sahara Forum themed “Moroccan Sahara: 50 years of integration, transformation, and territorial governance”, Minister Baraka emphasized the significant momentum coinciding with the 50th Green March anniversary, notably highlighted by UN Security Council Resolution 2797. This resolution is seen as a pivotal moment for the Sahara, the Maghreb, and Africa.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the development model for the Southern provinces, established in 2015 under the leadership of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE), was crafted through a participatory approach. This involved elected officials, civil society, and local stakeholders, leading to the implementation of several transformative projects in the region.
Baraka highlighted the Royal Initiative for the Atlantic, launched by His Majesty the King, which has turned Dakhla and El Guerguerat into a strategic hub for sub-Saharan Africa, promoting prosperity, stability, and regional cooperation. The minister also noted the completion of the 1,055 km Tiznit-Dakhla expressway and the launch of the dual road to El Guerguerat, pivotal for pan-African cooperation.
Regarding infrastructure, Baraka announced that the Dakhla Atlantique port construction is halfway complete, with commissioning planned for 2028. The port will feature an energy terminal for green hydrogen export, an industrial hub, and logistics areas catering to both national and international demand.
On water management, Baraka described the Dakhla basin as a “test ground” for water challenges, combining various aquifers and innovative solutions. Progress has been made in surface water mobilization, wind-powered desalination, and irrigation projects. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to sustainably manage the region’s water resources through a groundwater contract.
The 5th MD Sahara Forum commenced in Dakhla under the theme “50 Years of the Green March: National Unity and Continental Ambition”, aiming to be a platform for dialogue and reflection among government officials, economic actors, academics, and representatives from regional and international organizations over two days.