Morocco is an “essential partner” for Sahel countries, including the Confederation of Sahel States, Niger's Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangaré said in Casablanca on Friday.
Speaking at a meeting on “Prospects for West Africa: The New Confederation of Sahel States”, organized as part of the Crans Montana Forum, the head of Niger's diplomacy welcomed the Initiative of King Mohammed VI to promote access to the Atlantic for Sahel countries, deeming it an important support for the region's landlocked countries.
“Morocco has presented us with an opportunity to have another access to the sea and another way to participate in the global market”, he said, underlining the Kingdom's support in several other key areas to the countries of the Confederation.
In a similar statement, Mali's Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdoulaye Diop hailed the Kingdom's “constructive and respectful character” in its ties with African partners, as exemplified by the Royal Atlantic Initiative.
“It is an initiative that we welcome and share, as it falls in line with our structuring projects in favor of the industrialization and economic transformation of our countries”, he stated, noting the importance of cooperation with regional and international partners to boost sustainable and integrated development in the Sahel region.
Structuring programs, he said, particularly in the fields of logistics, infrastructure, technology and the financial sector, “will enable us to put in place the essential platforms to sustainably connect our countries to the regional and global economy”.
The Crans Montana Forum 2025 opened Friday under the theme “Africa’s International Trade: Maritime Safety and Security of Ports and Waterways.” The two-day event is the first in a series of high-level forums to be held in Morocco as part of the Global Crans Montana Forum.
