Assahafa.com
Senegal’s Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs, Yassine Fall, made a significant visit to Rabat on Monday, delivering a written message from President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to King Mohammed VI and reinforcing the country’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations amidst Senegal’s new political landscape.
This visit marks Fall’s second engagement with Morocco in 2024, following her first official visit as Foreign Minister in May, during which she had already affirmed Senegal’s “permanent and unwavering” support for Morocco’s territorial integrity.
The meeting comes also in the wake of significant political changes in Senegal, which entered a new political era in March 2024 with the election of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a young opposition figure who emerged from prison to win the presidency.
Faye’s victory, which avoided a second round of voting, was marked by strong popular support and a platform promising domestic reform and foreign policy review.
During her meeting with Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Fall expressed Senegal’s desire to elevate economic cooperation between the two nations.
“The message I carry today to His Majesty King Mohammed VI from His Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is not only one of greetings and wishes for good health but primarily a call to further strengthen relations between our two countries,” Fall stated during a joint press conference with Bourita.
The diplomatic mission takes on particular significance as President Faye had pledged to conduct comprehensive reviews of Senegal’s foreign agreements upon assuming office, beginning with neighboring countries like Mauritania.
However, analysts have noted that the historical depth of Senegal-Morocco relations places them in a unique category, transcending typical electoral considerations.
“Our relations with Morocco are characterized by exemplary solidarity, sincere friendship, and economic cooperation that we aspire to take to a higher level,” Fall stated, outlining the foundation for enhanced partnership across multiple sectors.
New initiatives, shared vision
A cornerstone of the talks was the announcement of a joint Moroccan-Senegalese commission scheduled for early 2025.
“We are actively preparing this commission that will allow teams from both countries to identify priority areas of partnership. The objective is to establish a clear roadmap to fully exploit common economic opportunities,” Fall detailed, highlighting the structured approach to strengthening bilateral ties.
The discussions encompassed several strategic initiatives, particularly focusing on Atlantic region cooperation and the ambitious Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project, which recently received approval from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“My brother, Nasser Bourita, and I are working closely to strengthen our partnership, whether regarding the Atlantic or the gas pipeline,” Fall said, noting the project’s potential for regional energy security and economic integration.
The visit also served to reinforce Senegal’s unwavering support for Morocco’s territorial integrity. In October, at the UN General Assembly’s 4th Committee, Senegal’s representative had made a clear statement: “Senegal unambiguously reaffirms its recognition of the Kingdom of Morocco’s full sovereignty over Western Sahara.”
This position is not merely diplomatic rhetoric but is backed by concrete actions, including Senegal’s establishment of a Consulate General in Dakhla in 2021 and the significant presence of Senegalese nationals in Morocco’s southern provinces.
The Senegalese diplomat at the UN had also praised Morocco’s human rights progress, specifically highlighting the active role of the National Human Rights Council in Dakhla and Laayoune, as recognized by UN Security Council Resolution 2703.
A space for cooperation
The diplomat further acknowledged Morocco’s substantial investments in the region through its new development model for the southern provinces.
Looking toward future cooperation, Fall expressed anticipation for continued high-level exchanges: “We look forward to His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s visit to Senegal, which will mark a new phase in deepening our relations.”
The partnership extends to continental initiatives, with Fall and Bourita discussing pan-African issues and regional integration projects. “We wish to consolidate our efforts in this strategic zone to create a mutually beneficial space for cooperation,” Fall stated, referring to their shared vision for Atlantic cooperation.
The strength of these bilateral ties was notably demonstrated earlier this year when Morocco played a distinctive role in Senegal’s political transition. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, representing King Mohammed VI, attended President Faye’s inauguration ceremony in Diamniadio near Dakar on April 2.
King Mohammed VI was the only head of state from outside the region to receive an invitation to this historic event. This followed the King’s congratulatory message to President Faye on March 26.
The relationship between the two nations, which formally began with the establishment of diplomatic relations on November 15, 1960, has been particularly strengthened through regular royal visits.
King Mohammed VI’s first visit to Senegal in 2001 marked a turning point, initiating robust cooperation in key development areas including agriculture, fishing, education and training, health, water management, irrigation, telecommunications, urban planning, air transport, and basic infrastructure.
The King’s subsequent visits in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2013, and 2015 further cemented these ties, establishing Senegal as one of Morocco’s key partners in Africa.
Source: Morocco word news
