Pan-African Parliament makes several recommendations backing Royal Africa-Atlantic Initiative

The Africa Atlantic Initiative, launched by King Mohammed VI, was presented on Thursday, June 27, at the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) during the meeting of the Trade, Customs, and Immigration Commission of the Pan-African legislative institution, holding the 3rd Ordinary Session of its 6th Legislature, from June 24 to July 5 at the institution’s headquarters in Midrand, South Africa.

Following the presentation and the ensuing debates on the Royal Atlantic initiative, the participating African MPs made several recommendations, including the creation of a parliamentary working group on King Mohammed VI’s Initiative for Atlantic Africa and the Sahel countries, a visit to Morocco in November 2024, and a conference on the theme “Atlantic Africa, a Catalyst Space for the AfCFTA” during the next session of the PAP.

The African deputies also requested the President of the PAP to appoint an honorary ambassador for the Atlantic Africa and Sahel Initiative.

The presentation, made by Mrs. Hanaa Benkhair, member of the Chamber of Advisors and member of the PAP, under the theme “The Moroccan Initiative for Atlantic Africa and the Sahel Countries: An Opportunity for the Continent,” was followed with keen interest by the African MPs, as this strategic initiative is meant to strengthen cooperation, stability, and economic development in the Atlantic Africa region.

“The initiative offers a real opportunity for all African countries, as it has a significant positive impact on many sectors and activities,” the Moroccan Counsellor noted. She explained that it particularly concerns the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through the improvement of logistical mechanisms facilitating trade between African countries, and economic growth, which will see an average annual increase in foreign direct investment of more than 5%.

The royal initiative is also expected to enable the establishment of continental value chains and industrial ecosystems, thus promoting African cooperation based on the principles of co-development, the expansion of trade between African countries and the rest of the world, as well as the sharing of knowledge and exchange of best practices among the continent’s countries to optimize logistical and commercial efficiency.

This initiative will increase the operational flow of ports in the Atlantic Africa maritime space, especially with the development of road and rail connectivity between landlocked countries.

The Atlantic Africa region is crucial for global trade, encompassing 23 nations with significant economic and demographic weight, Mrs. Hanaa Benkhair noted, highlighting that many African ports, such as those in Tangier, Dakhla, Lagos, Dakar, Luanda, and Cape Town are essential for international trade, besides the fact that they increase regional competitiveness and economic attractiveness.

In addition to Hanaa Benkhair, elected from the General Union of Moroccan Workers (UGTM), the Moroccan Parliament is represented at this new session of the PAP by Laila Dahi of the National Rally of Independents (RNI), Khadija Arouhal of the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), and Abdessamad Haiker of the Justice and Development Party (PJD).

The Pan-African Parliament is a consultative assembly of the African Union that brings together deputies from the AU member countries. It was officially inaugurated on March 18, 2004. Each member state is represented by five parliamentarians from both the majority and the opposition, including at least one woman, elected or appointed by their national parliaments or legislative bodies.