By Sheriff Musa Sheriff
Mr. Ahmed Belhadj, Charge d’Affaires of the Kingdom of Morocco in The Gambia has divulged that this is also a time to glorify the achievement of peace, stability, and sustainable development enjoyed together.
He made this remark on the occasion of the 24th Anniversary of the accession of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to the Throne, during a gathering held at his residence in Brufut on Sunday.
He said the celebration of the Throne Day helps to consecrate the attachment of the Moroccan people to the symbols of their nation, and at their top the Monarchy, which constitutes the foundation of the nation and the image of continuity in its noblest purposes.
“HM King Mohammed VI, May God Assist Him, has been working since His Enthronement to strengthen Morocco’s position on the international stage, consolidate the foundations of the Moroccan State, and open up new horizons for our fellow citizens to enjoy all their rights and achieve satisfactory economic and social progress,” he said.
He added that under the leadership of its sovereign, Morocco has achieved a significant infrastructure record, placing it in the top 20 in terms of infrastructure development and FDI inflows.
However, he said in addition to the implementation of several priority sectors, notably social protection, education, health, social dialogue, and employment, as well as the improvement of the business climate through the adoption of the investment charter with a panoply of incentives for foreign investors.
He noted that in this respect, one of the areas that have received particular attention in recent years is social protection, and in particular medical coverage, which remains a key priority.
Charge d’Affaires Belhadj disclosed that an ambitious roadmap to 2026 has been put in place to upgrade public schools and the teaching profession.
He further disclosed that the Moroccan government has also launched several initiatives aimed at bolstering citizens’ purchasing power to counter the high cost of living, as well as the adoption of a new investment charter aimed at improving the business climate and investment attractiveness.
He went on that in terms of port infrastructure, the Kingdom has launched several ambitious projects to position itself as a key hub in the region.
Adding that, after developing Tanger Med, which has become the leading port in the Mediterranean, Morocco launched a gigantic project in the southern provinces, namely the Port of Dakhla Atlantique.
He pointed out that Morocco wants to capitalize on its automotive success story – the country manufactures over 800,000 vehicles a year, to reach one million vehicles by 2025, adding that Morocco recently launched two 100% Moroccan cars.
According to him, by the end of 2022, the automotive sector achieved significant success, ranking as the second largest export sector, behind phosphates and derivatives.
The Charge d’Affaires noted that in sports, Morocco has spent many years investing in modern sports infrastructure and it now boasts of six FIFA-approved stadiums adding that in recent years, the kingdom has built a reputation for hosting major footballing competitions.
“The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has signed since 2015 more than 40 partnerships with African federations from all sub-confederations of Caf.
“Last year, the country’s national team made it to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar, becoming the first African team to do so.
“In this context, Morocco has decided, together with Spain and Portugal, to present a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup,” he said.
He continued: “In the field of diplomacy, several achievements have been made under Our Sovereign’s impetus on the Sahara issue, reflected in a multitude of international recognitions of the Moroccan city of the Sahara and the opening of consulates by friendly and fraternal countries in Dakhla and Laâyoune, as the culmination of the pertinence of the Royal approach to managing this issue.”
While on a continental level, he stated that one of the pillars of the Kingdom’s foreign policy remains its commitment to the economic and social development of our continent.
Over the past twenty years, according to him, Morocco has played an active role in the continent’s development. Through its actions of solidarity, its approach is based on the principle of South-South cooperation, but also through its investments aimed at contributing to the creation of sustainable economic growth with an impact on wealth and job creation on our continent.
Morocco’s real attachment to this continent is illustrated by the many Royal Visits it has made to various African countries. For example, since 2000, Morocco has signed over 1,000 agreements with more than 45 African countries, making it one of the top two investors in Africa.
Similarly, he disclosed that Morocco’s trade with sub-Saharan Africa has grown considerably in recent years.
Alongside economic and financial relations, cooperation in a wide range of fields has developed over recent decades. Among these, university and vocational training is the most advanced, he pointed out.
Indeed, over 85% of foreign students studying at Moroccan universities and institutes come from some forty sub-Saharan African countries. University cooperation also extends to exchanges of experience and expertise in teaching and institutional governance.
On the security and humanitarian field, Morocco, as a partner committed to peace and security in Africa, remains committed to the pan-African ideals of solidarity, cooperation, peace, and development, as well as to consolidate the spirit of unity, solidarity and coordination around strategic themes of common interest for better integration and sustainable development of the African continent, by the High Guidelines of King Mohammed VI.
He pointed out that relations between Morocco and Gambia are exceptional, rooted in history, rich, and strong in the bonds of friendship and fraternity that exist between the two peoples and between the leaders.
He added that these relations, whose strength has never been altered by the passage of time, are strengthened and deepened at every level by the passage of time.
He recalled that the Kingdom of Morocco decided last year to open an Embassy in The Gambia and the opening of this diplomatic mission confirms the excellent relations between the two brotherly countries, as well as Morocco’s commitment to raising these relations to the high and advanced level.
“On the bilateral relations, this year was marked by several visits by delegations from various ministries, and several draft agreements have already been finalized and will be signed shortly. A bilateral Joint Commission will soon be held to decide on future actions.
“On the parliamentary actions, a Morocco-Gambia Parliamentary Friendship Group was set up this year, to help boost parliamentary diplomacy between the two countries,” he revealed.
Dr. Mamadou Tangara, Minister Of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation And Gambians Abroad, described the day as worthy of honoring and commemorating as it reminds us of the coming into the Throne of one of the Greatest Kings in the history of the Kingdom of Morocco and Africa as a whole.
He said the commemoration of this year’s 24th anniversary of His Majesty’s accession to the throne is worthy of appreciation and recalling the important role His Majesty plays towards the development and prosperity of the African continent and its peoples.
Dr. Tangara said the great ambitions of His Majesty in Africa cannot be underscored, and since he acceded to the Throne, King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, has made Africa a priority in all aspects of Moroccan diplomacy.
“With its strong African roots bolstered by excellent cooperative relations, reflected in a new vision, has and continued to reaffirm His African identity.
“I would like to also take the opportunity of this glorious event to pay tribute to His Majesty for his dedication, support, and constant mobilization, to uphold unity, preserve security, peace, and stability, and promote literacy and sustainable development in Africa. The Republic of The Gambia, through the government of His Excellency, President Adama Barrow is not an exception in this regard,” he noted.
