Morocco was one of the 30 countries that founded the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) as the group was then called. Among the OAU’s primary principles were to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of African states.
Morocco formally withdrew from the OAU in 1984 over the admission of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) as a member of the organisation. But the support of 39 countries to the return of Morocco to the African Union demonstrates that the regional conditions which kept it out of the continental body for 32 years can be overcome through negotiations. Morocco’s return as an active member of the organisation was an urgent need because of the role it can play in supporting the positions of the continent at the international level as well as in the development of African countries.
During its absence from the AU, Morocco, thanks to its location, was the intersection of global markets and forged closer relations with countries of the continent through a strategy called South-South in Morocco. That strategy is based on promoting Africa’s self-reliance on its resources and capacities.
The strategy also aims to consolidate Moroccan-African relations through initiatives in the religious, humanitarian and development fields.
Morocco’s strategy, backed by a strong local banking sector as well as human development programmes, has enabled it to become the second biggest African investor on the continent behind South Africa.
The country is heavily involved in the Africa-Atlantic Gas Pipeline to transfer gas from producing countries in West Africa to Europe, which constitutes a major source of power to serve industrial development and enhance economic competitiveness.
Morocco has played a key role in preserving peace and security inside Africa, participating since its independence in six multinational peacekeeping operations by deploying thousands of troops in several sites.
Moroccan troops remain deployed at the moment in the Central African Republic and DR Congo, while Rabat was a key mediator in initiatives that helped in bringing peace to Libya and the Mano River region (Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone).
Despite years of official absence from the African Union, Morocco has maintained a special status within the organisation that allowed it to benefit from services available for member states such as the African Development Bank, while its troops remained part of peacekeeping operations on the continent.
King Mohamed XI’s message to the 27th AU summit in Kigali in July 2016 was the start of Morocco’s official return to the bloc, stressing at the time that Morocco can’t remain out of its institutional family and must restore its natural and legitimate place inside the union so as to help in making it stronger.
Morocco’s return to the African Union is expected to promote the North African country’s status on the continent by forging deeper political ties with member countries.
France, Spain and Belgium have all welcomed Morocco’s return to the African Union, praising the decision as a step towards the unity, stability and development of Africa.
The Organisation of Islamic Co-operation too issued a statement welcoming the decision.
Secretary General Yousef bin Ahmed al-Othaimeen said the decision was wise and would enable Morocco to assume its role inside a united Africa.
Several African countries have backed the decision, expressing hope towards an effective involvement for Morocco in the African Union on all fronts.