King's African tour materializes Morocco's interest in Africa
Morocco-Regional, Politics, 6/15/2004

The tour that King Mohammed VI of Morocco will undertake this week in several African countries is a new occasion to highlight the kingdom's interest in Africa and its particular relations with African countries.

The north-western African kingdom has been bound by political, social, economic, cultural and spiritual ties with African countries since the reign of the late king Mohammed V (grandfather of king Mohammed Vi). These ties were further consolidated after the ascension to the throne of king Mohammed VI in 1999 thanks to a fresh dynamic focusing on the major problems in the continent, in relation to sustainable development, debts, water and armed conflicts.

The Moroccan monarch, who kick off on Tuesday "friendly and working" visits to Five African countries, has constantly expressed his country's commitment for the defense of Africa's interests.

This tendency was materialized by the monarch even as he was crown prince. During the "earth summit" in 1992, king Mohammed VI, then crown prince, called on the international community to give a particular interest to the African continent that is afflicted by recurrent natural catastrophes, drought and desertification.

In addition, the king had also warned, before the extraordinary session of the United Nations general assembly in July 1997, of the deficit in vital resources in Africa, which is likely to lead to tensions and conflicts. He insisted that it is crucial to safeguard natural resources to preserve peace and natural security.

Aware that debts are among the greatest obstacles to African countries' development, the king announced during the first Africa-Europe summit in 2000 Morocco's decision to write off the debts of the least advanced African countries and lift all customs barriers on products imported from these countries.

Morocco has also voiced total and unconditional support to the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), saying it offers an "ideal platform" for fruitful partnership between African countries.

Part of the same drive, the Moroccan capital hosted in April 2002 a reconciliation summit that brought together heads of states of the Mano river area (Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone) in an attempt to restore peace in the sub-region.

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