Morocco and Niger reaffirmed on Wednesday in Niamey their shared commitment to making their partnership a model of inter-African cooperation.
This determination came as part of a joint statement issued following the 5th session of the Joint Cooperation Commission, co-chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita and his Nigerien counterpart Abroad Bakary Yaou Sangaré.
During the meeting, the two parties reiterated their shared commitment to making bilateral ties an exceptional model of inter-African cooperation, based on values of active solidarity, the exchange of best practices, mutual trust, and equitable sharing of benefits.
The two ministers also reaffirmed their will to further revitalize and diversify bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic and commercial spheres, as well as their shared ambition to promote an innovative and mutually beneficial public-private partnership (PPP) to serve as a benchmark for South-South cooperation on the African continent.
The 5th Joint Cooperation Commission also served as an opportunity to ink 14 agreements and memoranda of understanding covering a several key sectors, namely road and rail transport, road safety, logistics, infrastructure, trade, industry, agriculture, land use planning and housing, youth, judicial cooperation, and the transfer of convicted persons, as well as academic and vocational training.
Discussions also helped the two ministers examine various issues of common interest, both bilaterally and regionally, in a spirit of consultation and convergence of views.
In a speech delivered at the opening of this 5th session, Bourita emphasized that this meeting is “a key step in reaffirming the historic ties uniting our two countries and our shared commitment to elevating them to a multidimensional strategic partnership.”
The minister stressed Morocco’s unwavering commitment to South-South cooperation, which he described as “a constant strategic choice for Morocco and a fundamental pillar of its foreign policy.”
He recalled major Royal Initiatives aimed at achieving continental integration, foremost among which are the Initiative of the Atlantic African States and the Royal Initiative to facilitate Atlantic Ocean access for Sahel States—two initiatives that share a common goal: creating conditions for a new era of shared development, security, and stability on the continent.
Bourita also reaffirmed Morocco’s full solidarity with Niger in its fight against terrorism and violent extremism, strongly condemning terrorist attacks that targeted sensitive facilities in the country.
Commending the resilience of Nigerien forces, the minister highlighted the religious dimension in preventing extremism, through training imams and mourchidines (guides) at the Mohammed VI Institute, whose tangible results contribute to reinforcing intellectual and spiritual security in Niger.
In the meeting, Bourita commended the role played by the Moroccan private sector in Niger through investments in banking, telecommunications, and air transport, expressing belief in the promising potential to develop and expand these investments for the benefit of both countries.
He also welcomed the level of cooperation in the academic, cultural, and religious spheres through the annual scholarship programs offered to Nigerien students.
Bourita then reaffirmed Morocco’s willingness to make this session “a new beginning toward a more advanced phase” in bilateral relations.
MWN with MAP
