Morocco is reinforcing its leadership role on the African continent thanks to the initiatives of King Mohammed VI, former U.S. Ambassador to Rabat Puneet Talwar said on Thursday.
Speaking during a panel held as part of the 14th Annual International Conference The Atlantic Dialogues, organized by the Policy Center for the New South, Talwar highlighted Morocco’s growing continental influence through strategic initiatives, notably the Royal Initiative to facilitate Atlantic Ocean access for Sahel countries and the Atlantic African Gas Pipeline project.
Talwar described Morocco as a true “gateway” to Africa and a model that many countries on the continent seek to emulate. He noted that this leadership has positioned the Kingdom as a key strategic partner for the United States and a respected and influential actor at the African level.
According to the former diplomat, Morocco’s status enables it to forge effective and impactful partnerships, particularly with Washington. “By partnering together, we have been able to do wonderful things with Morocco,” he said, underlining the depth and effectiveness of bilateral cooperation.
Talwar also stressed the historical dimension of Morocco–U.S. relations, describing Morocco as “America’s oldest friend” and emphasizing that the partnership is built on trust, consistency, and strong human ties that have delivered tangible benefits to both countries.
He pointed to the recent adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797 on the Moroccan Sahara as a clear illustration of the quality of coordination between Rabat and Washington on major issues related to international peace and stability.
The former ambassador further praised Morocco’s sustained commitment to regional stability, noting that through its African initiatives, the Kingdom promotes a vision based on co-development, South-South cooperation, and shared security.
Concluding his remarks, Talwar expressed his personal attachment to Morocco, citing the richness of its culture and the depth of its human connections, and voiced confidence that the Morocco–U.S. partnership will continue to grow stronger in the years ahead.
