Morocco’s initiative to give Sahel countries access to the Atlantic Ocean marks a major strategic shift for Africa, according to a senior figure at the US-based Atlantic Council.
Peter Pham was speaking in Rabat on Friday during a panel at The Atlantic Dialogues, an international conference organised by the Policy Center for the New South.
He said the initiative, launched by King Mohammed VI, could turn long-standing ambitions for Atlantic integration into a shared project, helping to build what he described as a broader and more inclusive regional community.
Mr Pham argued that Morocco’s historical role as a bridge between Africa, Europe and the wider world positioned it to lead such an effort, adding that the initiative could contribute to greater stability in the Sahel while strengthening security and prosperity across Atlantic Africa.
He said improved access to the Atlantic would open new trade and investment routes, helping to support food security and create economic opportunities for countries in the region.
Also speaking at the event, Nathalie Delapalme, executive director of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, said Africa was navigating an increasingly uncertain global environment marked by shifting alliances.
She stressed the need for African countries to defend their interests more effectively in international forums, particularly on climate change and energy access, and called for closer cooperation to ensure the continent’s voice is heard.
The 14th edition of The Atlantic Dialogues, held under the patronage of King Mohammed VI, runs from 11 to 13 December and brings together policymakers, analysts and civil society figures to discuss global and regional challenges and possible reform paths.
