Sahel Countries Applaud Royal Initiative for Atlantic Ocean Access -Joint Statement

Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, and Niger have welcomed the international initiative announced by King Mohammed VI to enable these African landlocked countries have access to the Atlantic Ocean, a project that will transform the economies of these countries and the entire region.

The supportive stand was voiced Saturday in Marrakesh by the Foreign Ministers of the four Sahel countries following their first coordination meeting held at the invitation of Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.

In a joint statement, the ministers thanked King Mohammed VI for this initiative, saying it shows the Monarch’s active solidarity with brotherly African countries in general and the Sahel in particular. This strategic project will also help speed up regional connectivity and enhance trading for shared prosperity in the Sahel region.

The ministers commended the inclusive and participatory approach in carrying out this initiative, affirming their common ambition to consolidate cooperation ties through joint multi-sectoral and innovative partnerships, reflecting the values of South-South cooperation and co-development.

They agreed to set up a National Task Force in each country to prepare and propose a roadmap for the implementation of this landmark project.

The ministers also agreed to finalize as quickly as possible the proposals to be submitted to King Mohammed VI and Heads of State of the four Sahel countries.

In his opening address at the Ministerial Coordination Meeting on the royal initiative for Sahel countries access to Atlantic Ocean, Bourita said the move will help these African countries unlock their enormous potential, accelerate the growth and sustainable and inclusive development of the region’s economies.

King Mohammed VI has always valued and promoted cooperation ties with Sahel countries, said the Minister, affirming that Rabat will bring in all its energy, mobilize all its efforts, and share all its know-how.

For his part, Niger’s Foreign Minister Yaou Sangaré described Morocco as “a reliable partner which respects our dignity, our sovereignty and our independence”, saying the royal initiative will give a new impetus to the development of the Sahel region.

Mali’s top diplomat Abdoulaye Diop said his country backs the Atlantic Initiative announced by King Mohammed VI for Sahel States, and lauded the Kingdom’s solidarity with brotherly African countries.

He also said the move shows Morocco’s commitment to go beyond bilateral cooperation for a broader framework aimed at meeting the aspirations of the Sahel authorities and population.

Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré said the royal initiative will transform Sahel economies and promote their integration into global economy.

Chad’s FM Mahamat Saleh Annadif said Morocco is a “strategic and reliable” partner of all African countries, paying tribute to the leadership of King Mohammed VI. He thanked the Sovereign for this important initiative, noting that security and development are inseparable.

The royal initiative was unveiled in the speech delivered on the 48th anniversary of the Green March, celebrated on November 6. The Monarch said the solution to the problems facing Sahel countries cannot be exclusively security or military, but it must be rather based on an approach of cooperation and shared development.
For this reason, the Sovereign had called for launching an international initiative to facilitate Atlantic Ocean access for Sahel nations.