African Diaspora Day: Moroccan King’s leadership in Africa highlighted in U.S. Congress
Morocco’s ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani, stressed the pivotal role of the African diaspora in the development of the continent during a conference held at the U.S. Congress, and highlighted the visionary leadership of King Mohammed VI in modern pan-Africanism.
“Morocco regards the African diaspora as a key driver of co-development, one that must be bolstered, equipped, and fully integrated into economic growth strategies and diplomatic efforts among nations,” the diplomat pointed out at this meeting held on African Diaspora Day.
Co-organized by Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Florida) and Congressman Jonathan Jackson (D-Illinois) under the theme “The Global Diaspora: Contributing to Our Common Destiny,” the event was aimed at honoring the African diaspora’s contributions to U.S. development while exploring its potential to enhance relations between Washington and the continent.
The ambassador also underlined the Kingdom’s dedication to innovative initiatives empowering African populations both on the continent and within the diaspora to boost Africa’s advancement. He emphasized Morocco’s longstanding partnerships with several African nations, with significant investments in education and sustainable development across the continent.
In this regard, the diplomat stressed that these efforts closely align with King Mohammed VI’s vision of a prosperous, interconnected Africa where citizens and diasporas play pivotal roles in national development.
The Moroccan ambassador, who mentioned several examples of Morocco’s engagement in this area, highlighted the Sovereign’s initiative aimed at offering landlocked Sahel countries access to the Atlantic Ocean through infrastructure enhancements and the utilization of Moroccan facilities such as the Port of Dakhla.
Regarding Morocco’s support for the African diaspora, the diplomat underscored the Kingdom’s recognition of migrants’ critical economic contributions to their countries of origin, including initiatives aimed at reducing remittance costs. He stressed their significant impact, exceeding $700 billion over the past decade, on national economies, surpassing foreign aid and foreign direct investment.
The diplomat stressed that these fund transfers, nevertheless, incur disproportionate costs compared to other regions, prompting Morocco’s initiative to organize the first Forum on Reducing Diaspora Fund Transfer Costs in Rabat in January 2023, bringing together central bank governors, ministers, and financial institutions to address this disparity.
The ambassador also recalled Morocco’s membership in the African Union’s High Committee for the Decade of African Roots and African Diaspora, chaired by Togo, which will host the next Pan-African Congress in late October 2024. In this context, he noted that the Kingdom has organized a series of events and conferences aimed at bolstering Africa’s role in global governance and strengthening its voice on the international stage, while ensuring effective recognition and utilization of diaspora contributions.
The role of Moroccans worldwide in enhancing the African diaspora’s influence was also underlined during this conference.
With over 5 million citizens abroad, Morocco maintains a strong connection with its expatriates, supported by ongoing initiatives led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Ambassador Amrani said. These efforts, integrated into the kingdom’s new development model, include strategies to actively engage Moroccans living abroad in the country’s development initiatives.
For her part, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick emphasized the African diaspora’s pivotal role in enhancing U.S.-Africa relations, advocating for economic integration and shared prosperity between the continents. She called for increased economic and cultural initiatives to reinforce historical ties, stressing that future bilateral relations depend on promoting exchanges and opportunities.
Congressman Jonathan Jackson, in his remarks, stressed the importance of political and security relations between the United States and Africa, emphasizing international cooperation in combating transnational threats such as terrorism and humanitarian crises.
Mr. Jackson also highlighted the importance of educational and technological exchanges, recognizing the transformative potential of youth and the diaspora in driving Africa’s economic development.
The congressman also called for continued dialogue to address common challenges and build a more stable and prosperous future for both regions.
