For the first time, the United Nations Secretary-General highlighted, in his annual report on the Moroccan Sahara, the royal vision aiming to make the Atlantic coast a « gateway for trade and economic integration with Africa and the Americas by facilitating access for Sahel region countries to the Atlantic Ocean. »
By referring to the speech of His Majesty King Mohammed VI on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of the Green March in November 2023, Mr. Guterres informed Security Council members of Morocco’s initiative to strengthen the role of the Moroccan Sahara as a regional economic hub, facilitating trade between Sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the world.
Now, Security Council members have tangible evidence of the serious and credible efforts made by the Kingdom of Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, to develop a regional cooperation and development approach that offers solutions beyond a purely security or military approach, by enabling African countries, particularly those in the geographically isolated Sahel region, to access Morocco’s road, port, and rail infrastructures.
The Secretary-General’s report thus represents a strong diplomatic backing that will enable the UN’s executive body to focus on the royal Atlantic initiative, which is based on South-South solidarity cooperation with its African neighbors, with the aim of officially recognizing it and integrating it into the UN’s policies and projects.
