Bourita highlights in New York King Mohammed VI’s vision for strengthening security and development in the Sahel region

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, highlighted on Friday in New York the vision of King Mohammed VI aimed at supporting Sahel countries in their sustained efforts to achieve security, development, and the desired prosperity.

Deep historical and spiritual ties

This came during a speech delivered by Bourita at a high-level event dedicated to discussing “Security and Development in the Sahel Region”, organized on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. On this occasion, the minister recalled the deep historical ties that unite the Kingdom of Morocco with the countries of the African Sahel.

The government official explained that these relations are embodied on the ground through trans-Saharan routes, trade networks, and various exchanges, in addition to the shared human and spiritual heritage, emphasizing that these solid ties constitute a living bridge between peoples and a firm foundation for building a common and sustainable future.

Promising potential and a comprehensive development approach

In the same context, Bourita emphasized that the Sahel region cannot and should not be approached exclusively from the perspective of the challenges and crises it faces, citing the significant and major potentials the region enjoys, particularly the energy of its youth, rich natural resources, and promising opportunities available in the agricultural, energy, and mining sectors.

The minister stressed during his remarks that “the real challenge lies in transforming these latent potentials into concrete and effective opportunities for the benefit of the peoples of the Sahel region,” pointing in this framework to the strategic importance of the Royal Initiative aimed at facilitating the access of Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean, which seeks to bring about a substantial and deep transformation in the economies of these brotherly countries and the region as a whole.

Steadfast Moroccan commitment to solidarity and mutual respect

Concluding his speech, Nasser Bourita reiterated Morocco’s firm commitment to stand by the Sahel countries, in a spirit of active solidarity, mutual respect, and non-interference in internal affairs, as well as respect for national sovereignty and independent choices, and the strengthening of joint cooperation, taking into account the real priorities of these countries.

The minister concluded by affirming that the Kingdom of Morocco’s commitment to the Sahel countries represents not just an ordinary partnership, but a commitment that is “deeply rooted in history, nourished by ties of sincere brotherhood, and looking firmly towards a common future.”