Bourita, Kenya PM Inaugurate Country's First Embassy in Rabat
'This inauguration opens a new chapter in our bilateral relations,' Bourita stated during the ceremony. He noted the embassy would serve as a 'bridge' for future partnership between the two nations.
Mudavadi asserted the new diplomatic mission 'offers both countries the opportunity to strengthen cooperation and exchange expertise in various domains.' The Kenyan diplomat also reaffirmed his country's support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan for the Western Sahara.
The diplomatic normalization process began in September 2022 when Kenyan President William Ruto signaled an end to Kenya's decades-long recognition of the fictitious 'Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic' (SADR). Kenya previously hosted the separatist Polisario Front's self-proclaimed president, Brahim Ghali, and maintained a bogus Sahrawi mission in Nairobi.
Relations accelerated rapidly afterward. In March 2023, Kenya's foreign affairs secretary made the first official visit to Rabat. By December 2023, Kenyan senators formally called on their government to open an embassy in Morocco.
The relationship continued to strengthen in 2024. In March, Jessica Muthoni Gakinya became Kenya's first ambassador to Morocco. She presented her credentials to Bourita on August 30 of the same year.
During today's visit, the two officials signed four memorandums of understanding. These agreements cover habitat, urbanism, youth, services, trade, and diplomatic training. Bourita announced the creation of a joint cooperation commission before year's end, complemented by an economic forum uniting business leaders from both nations.
'The Moroccan-Kenyan partnership should extend to strategic sectors including phosphates, fertilizers, and renewable energy,' Bourita said. He stressed that 'Morocco considers Kenya an essential actor in Africa.'
Both ministers foregrounded the importance of political consultations within international forums. These consultations aim to align viewpoints on subjects of common interest, following principles of peace preservation and respect for state sovereignty.
Kenya's official stance on the Sahara issue was formalized in a joint statement: 'The Republic of Kenya considers the autonomy plan as the only sustainable approach for resolving the Sahara issue and intends to cooperate with like-minded states to promote its implementation.'
The statement added that Kenya 'welcomes the growing international consensus and the momentum led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in favor of the autonomy plan presented by the Kingdom of Morocco.'
Mudavadi said Kenya follows with great interest Morocco's major diplomatic initiatives. He particularly praised those 'initiated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, which deserve attention and support to achieve peaceful solutions to tensions and conflicts on the African continent.'
The prime minister called the Moroccan economy 'emerging' and 'a leader on the continent.' He commended Morocco's support for African integration mechanisms like the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Morocco announced it would offer electronic visas to Kenyan citizens, reciprocating Kenya's similar policy for Moroccans. Rabat also pledged support for Nairobi, the headquarters of UN Environment, to host the next international conference on plastic pollution. Tags: morocco kenyaNasser Bourita
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Biladi
2 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Unified Socialist Party calls for investigation into Sion Assidon's mysterious incident
The Unified Socialist Party has called on the Public Prosecution to «launch a thorough and comprehensive investigation» into the circumstances surrounding the «mysterious incident» involving activist Sion Assidon. The party also urged the Ministry of Health to «provide the necessary medical care for this national figure and symbol of the Palestinian cause in Morocco». In a statement, the party expressed deep concern over Assidon's critical condition. On the evening of Monday, August 11, 2025, he was found at his home in a coma, with visible bruises on his body. He was urgently taken to a clinic in Mohammedia, where he underwent emergency brain surgery. On Wednesday, August 13, his condition worsened, prompting his transfer to a clinic in Casablanca, where he remains in intensive care. The leftist party described Sion Assidon as «one of the great national figures who fought on multiple fronts against tyranny, oppression, Zionism, and imperialism». A prominent political prisoner during the Years of Lead, he spent 12 years «of his youth in Moroccan prisons for his struggle to build a Morocco of democracy, freedom, equality, and human dignity». He also «staunchly opposed Zionism and strongly supported the Palestinian cause in various national and international forums». Assidon is one of the founders of the Moroccan Front for Supporting Palestine and Against Normalization and a member of its national secretariat. He also serves as the coordinator of the Moroccan branch of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
Ya Biladi
2 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan Royal Armed Forces present at AFRICOM leadership handover
A high-ranking Moroccan military delegation, led by the Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), General Mohammed Berrid, took part in the installation ceremony of the new AFRICOM commander, General Dagvin Anderson, held on August 14 and 15 in Stuttgart, Germany, the FAR announced on the X platform. General Anderson succeeds General Michael Langley, following his appointment, which was confirmed ten days earlier by the United States Senate on the recommendation of President Donald Trump. After Anderson's Senate hearing, an international media outlet reported that «the United States is preparing to establish an independent military command for operations in Africa, following the Senate's approval of a new AFRICOM commander. This decision marks the official separation of AFRICOM from the U.S. Army in Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF)». The same report added that «Morocco is being considered as the likely location for the new command headquarters. This reorganization comes amid growing geopolitical competition in Africa, particularly with China and Russia».
Morocco World
7 hours ago
- Morocco World
Morocco Present at AFRICOM Command Change in Germany
Marrakech – General Mohammed Berrid led a high-ranking Moroccan delegation to Stuttgart on August 14-15, attending the change of command ceremony at the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). The event marked the official transfer of leadership from General Michael Langley to General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, who becomes the 7th commander of AFRICOM since its establishment. The Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) shared the news on their X platform, noting that Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the Southern Zone, represented the country following instructions from King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the FAR. General Anderson, who previously led Joint Force Development at the Pentagon and commanded the Special Operations Command Africa, succeeds General Langley after his nomination was approved by the US Senate more than ten days ago upon President Donald Trump's recommendation. The ceremony at AFRICOM headquarters brought together numerous civil and military officials from the United States, Africa, and other regions. During the event, General Berrid held several meetings with strategic partners, reaffirming the importance of military cooperation between Rabat and its allies. According to press reports based on intelligence sources, Washington is preparing a major reorganization of its military presence in Africa. The plan involves creating a command structure completely independent from the US Air Force Command in Europe (USAFE) and potentially relocating AFRICOM headquarters from Stuttgart to an allied African country. Morocco's comparative advantage Morocco is reportedly among the preferred candidates for hosting the new headquarters, thanks to its geostrategic position at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, as well as its quality military infrastructure. The annual 'African Lion' exercises, co-organized by Rabat and Washington, already demonstrate a proven operational partnership. Spanish media reports suggest advanced studies are underway to establish the future AFRICOM headquarters at the Kenitra military base in Morocco. The Pentagon's criteria – logistical superiority, political stability, and reliable military partnerships – appear to place Morocco at the top of the list, with Spain's Rota base now seemingly out of consideration in favor of a stronger African presence. Originally, former US President George W. Bush wanted AFRICOM's headquarters to be located in Africa when he created the command in 2007. With that objective never realized, the Trump administration now seems determined to relocate AFRICOM's headquarters to the African continent, with a final decision expected in the coming months. Read also: AFRICOM Chief Rules Out Move to Morocco, Citing Budgetary Reasons Tags: AFRICOMMorocco and the US cooperationRoyal Armed Forces (FAR)
