Moroccan king receives foreign ministers of Sahel States Alliance
King Mohammed VI of Morocco received the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger which are member states of the Sahel States Alliance at the Royal Palace in Rabat on Monday.
The high-level audience reflects Morocco's deep-rooted ties with the Sahel region and reinforces the Kingdom's growing role in regional cooperation and development.
The ministers in attendance were Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation, and Burkinabe Nationals Abroad of Burkina Faso; Abdoulaye Diop, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali; and Bakary Yaou Sangaré, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad of Niger's Transitional Government.
According to an official statement, the visit took place within the context of Morocco's 'strong and longstanding relations' with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which are built on 'sincere friendship, mutual respect, active solidarity, and fruitful cooperation.'
During the audience, the foreign ministers conveyed to King Mohammed VI the appreciation of their respective Heads of State for his continued support and engagement with the Sahel region. They commended the King's numerous initiatives aimed at fostering the economic and social development of their nations.
Of particular significance was the ministers' endorsement of the King's strategic initiative to grant the Sahel countries access to the Atlantic Ocean — a move seen as critical to enhancing trade, infrastructure development, and regional integration. The ministers reaffirmed their full support for the initiative and expressed a shared commitment to accelerating its implementation.
The meeting also included discussions on the institutional and operational progress of the Alliance of Sahel States, which serves as a framework for integration and coordination among Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Established in 2023, the Alliance aims to strengthen political and security cooperation among its members following their withdrawal from ECOWAS.
This visit underscores Morocco's emerging diplomatic role as a key partner in West Africa's efforts to confront regional challenges and build new avenues of collaboration. The Royal Palace's reception of the Sahel ministers highlights the Kingdom's commitment to supporting African-led solutions for development and stability in the region.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Eyewitness News
29 minutes ago
- Eyewitness News
Tshwane, Joburg mayors say EC floods devastation sign of urgency in addressing municipalities issues
JOHANNESBURG - The Tshwane and Johannesburg Mayors said the devastation from the Eastern Cape floods is a sign of the urgency in addressing challenges faced by municipalities, including poor infrastructure and disaster preparedness. Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya and Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero are currently hosting their counterparts from elsewhere in the world, with talks entering a second day in Tshwane on Friday. This is part of the African Mayors' Assembly and U20 Sherpa Meeting, where delegates are set to influence policy for local government. Their policy directives will form part of South Africa's recommendations to global leaders at the G20 Leaders Summit later in 2025. Morero said local government cannot continue to bear the brunt of shortfalls on a global scale. 'African cities are on the frontlines of climate disruption, yet least responsible for its causes.' Moya said the Urban 20 meetings must find consensus on climate financing, among solutions to other common issues. 'The conversations that we have here must bear fruit and in this case, we must be able to prevent the loss of lives, when we can do something about it.'
eNCA
12 hours ago
- eNCA
Trump moves to block California electric cars program
LOS ANGELES - US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed resolutions blocking California's landmark efforts to phase out gas-powered cars in favor of electric vehicles, a move the state immediately contested in court. Trump's action, a rebuke of Democratic climate change policies, comes after the Republican-led Congress revoked the state's waiver allowing it to set more stringent regulations for cars. California had planned to end the sale of gasoline-only vehicles by 2035, among other ambitious efforts. During the signing ceremony at the White House, Trump lashed out at the state's bid as "a disaster for this country" and said the resolutions he was signing would save the industry from "destruction." California swiftly sued the Trump administration over the resolutions, with Attorney General Rob Bonta saying: "The President's divisive, partisan agenda is jeopardizing our lives, our economy and our environment." "It's reckless, it's illegal, and because of it, we'll be seeing the Trump administration in court again for the 26th time," he added. California, the nation's wealthiest state with around 40 million people, has long used the waiver in the Clean Air Act to set its own emissions standards as it tries to mitigate some of the worst air pollution in the country. The size of the auto market in the state -- and the fact that several other states follow its lead -- means automakers frequently use its standards nationwide. Trump's move also came as he clashes with California over immigration enforcement. California Governor Gavin Newsom has accused the president of acting like a tyrant over his use of the military to control small-scale protests in Los Angeles. - Environmental concerns - Trump's action was condemned by environmental groups who say the rules are key for easing pollution. And Newsom recently argued that rolling back the state's EV ambitions would boost China's position on the market. While China is a manufacturing hub for such vehicles globally, the United States is a net importer of them, he said in a May statement. This is despite the United States being home to technologies that have pioneered the clean car industry, he noted. Trump has repeatedly criticized subsidies to encourage the EV industry despite significant federal funding allocated to projects in Republican districts -- where thousands of jobs are expected to be created. He took aim at the sector as part of his flurry of executive orders on his first day in office this January in a bid to ensure what he called a "level" playing field for gasoline-powered motors. By Beiyi Seow With Huw Griffith In Los Angeles
Eyewitness News
16 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
African cities trying to keep up with fast-changing global demands, notes Tshwane Mayor
JOHANNESBURG - Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya says African cities are trying to keep up with the fast-changing demands, as mayors from across the world meet to discuss urban policy. Moya and Joburg Mayor Dada Morero are currently co-hosting the African Mayors' Assembly and the U20 Sherpa meeting in Tshwane. The meeting will see Moya and Morero put Africa on the map to find solutions to common global challenges. Moya says South African cities are urbanising swiftly but often without the infrastructure or resources to match the requirements. But she says the country's challenges are not unique, with SA as a microcosm of the rest of the continent. ALSO READ: Local govt's role in solving global challenges can't be downplayed, says Joburg Mayor With six in 10 Africans expected to live in cities by 2050, Moya says the urban transition should bring with it innovation, climate action, and economic activity. 'But this future is not guaranteed. We face serious and urgent challenges: deep inequality and spatial divides, stretched or missing infrastructure, limited access to finance, rising climate shocks and a growing population of young people with too few pathways to opportunity.' Moya says the gathering of 96 delegates cannot be another talk shop but must find solutions that are local, practical, and urgent.
