Decentralization: Morocco, Senegal ink partnership agreement
The Moroccan Association of Local Council Presidents (AMPCC) and the Association of Mayors of Senegal (AMS) signed a cooperation and partnership protocol in Dakar, meant to enhance cooperation between local authorities in the two countries.
The agreement, initiated by AMPCC President Mounir Lymouri, Mayor of Tangier, and AMS President Oumar BA, was signed during the opening ceremony Monday of the Senegal-Morocco Decentralization Conference, attended by a large Moroccan delegation.
The goal of the ten-year protocol between the two countries’ national networks of elected representatives is to collaborate in enhancing the sub-national level of responsible action for sustainable, resilient, low-carbon, and inclusive development of the territories, populations, and stakeholders concerned, at both domestic and pan-African levels.
The agreement aims to promote partnership exchanges between umbrella organizations of elected representatives and their members, on a collegiate or bilateral basis, on thematic and/or institutional aspects.
Under the terms of the protocol, the partners undertake to pool their cooperative efforts in one or more of the fields of action defined in an Action Plan drawn up jointly by the two signatory entities.
On Monday evening, the President of Senegal, Macky Sall, received the members of the Moroccan delegation participating in the Senegalese-Moroccan Conference on Decentralization, an audience that reflects the interest and importance he attaches to the historic and excellent relations between Morocco and Senegal in various fields.
During the audience, the Senegalese President praised the participation of two large Moroccan delegations in two major events in Dakar in January. The first delegation, led by the Minister of Youth and Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, and comprising over 70 Moroccan artists, took part in the 12th edition of the Fesnac Arts and Culture Festival in Fatick, during which the Kingdom was guest of honor.
And this week, a large delegation, made up of Moroccan mayors and elected representatives, is taking part in the Senegal-Morocco Decentralization Conference, he recalled.
“We are touched by this and it shows the importance that Morocco, a brotherly country, attaches to its relationship with Senegal,” emphasized President Macky Sall.
Returning to the Conference, he pointed out that Morocco has a “very proactive policy in terms of decentralization and, above all, regional planning.” “Very often, the Moroccan example has been cited when it comes to seeing how cities have made their contribution to regional planning,” he said.
President Macky Sall also asked the Moroccan delegation to convey his feelings of friendship and gratitude to King Mohammed VI.
