African countries gather in Marrakech to address weapons of mass destruction proliferation

African Countries are gathered in Marrakech from January 31 to February 2 to take part in the political meeting to promote the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) dedicated to African countries.

The event is a collaborative effort initiated by Morocco and the US. The primary objective of the initiative is to encourage African countries to support the PSI, a sustainable global effort to halt the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

The PSI aims to create alliances between states to collaborate and use their national resources to create various legal, diplomatic, and military instruments to prevent the transport of dangerous cargoes by road, air and sea.

The meeting, which is co-chaired by Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs at the US State Department, Bonnie Jenkins and Director of UN & International Organizations at the Foreign Ministry Redouane Houssaini, is attended by ministers and delegations from African countries, as well as regional partners and allies.

Taking the floor, Bonnie Jenkins emphasized the importance of international collaboration in preventing the trafficking of dangerous weapons and highlighted how the PSI has gained significance as a symbol of commitment to global security.

Jenkins expressed her satisfaction at the active participation of several African nations in the PSI initiative, urging governments yet to join to do so promptly. The PSI, she noted, plays a pivotal role in preserving global peace and security by intercepting transfers to and from both state and non-state proliferators. “Preventing the trafficking of WMDs and their delivery systems is of paramount importance for the preservation of peace and security in the world.”

PSI commitments outlined by the American official include the interception of transfers, the development of information exchange systems among member countries, and the enhancement of national authorities’ capacities in partner countries to combat proliferation threats effectively.

Highlighting the alignment of PSI principles with United Nations obligations, including Security Council Resolution 1540, Jenkins underscored the need for a coordinated global approach to strengthen non-proliferation measures.

In a video message at the opening ceremony, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita stressed that Morocco has consistently championed multilateral cooperation as the most suitable framework to coordinate international efforts against weapons of mass destruction.

The North African Kingdom, which adheres to all international conventions on disarmament and non-proliferation, will continue its partnership with the United States and African countries to make the PSI an essential part of the African security landscape.

The goal of this international initiative is to stop trafficking of WMD and related materials and their delivery systems, to and from states and non-state actors, added the minister, noting that the Marrakech meeting is the first of its kind and the largest ever held on the African continent.

Morocco’s experience has demonstrated the importance of PSI in enhancing coordination to counter WMD proliferation, underlined Mr. Bourita, saying the Marrakech meeting is an opportunity to strengthen African countries engagement as the continent is facing security challenges with the alliance between terrorist and separatist groups and transnational criminal organizations.

The 30,000 km-long African coastline and the lack of regional cooperation also affect the Continent’s ability to address transnational security threats, said the Moroccan top diplomat.

The increase in trade exchanges between Africa and the rest of the world exacerbates further the Continent’s vulnerabilities in combatting WMD proliferation and related threats, affirmed Bourita.
While in Morocco, Ms. Jenkins conferred with Moroccan FM on U.S.-Morocco bilateral cooperation and security in Africa.

Bourita went on to applaud the increasing presence of African nations within the PSI, urging these countries to capitalize on this momentum to create effective mechanisms.

Bringing together over 100 countries, the Proliferation Security Initiative is a voluntary and flexible multilateral cooperation framework launched in 2003 with the adoption of the “Paris Principles”, known as the “Interdiction Principles”.

Joined by Morocco in 2008, the initiative intends to strengthen cooperation between the various stakeholders, through operational measures to combat the illicit transport of weapons of mass destruction and related materials, and their means of delivery.

While in Morocco, Ms. Jenkins conferred with Moroccan FM on U.S.-Morocco bilateral cooperation and security in Africa.