A delegation from English-speaking Africa on far-reaching diplomatic visit to Morocco

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A delegation of investors and senior leaders from South Africa, Nigeria, Lesotho and Kenya is paying a visit to Morocco this July 15 and 16.

The visit of the delegation from four English-speaking African countries that still recognize the pseudo-Saharan Republic “SADR” is not only a snub to the Polisario Front and its Algerian sponsors, but also constitutes a major diplomatic breakthrough of Morocco in a region of the continent that remains hostile to its territorial integrity.

The program of the trip, organized by the Moroccan Minister in charge of African Cooperation, includes visits to major structural projects such as the Tanger Med port and the Noor Solar Power Plant in Ouarzazate.

The African delegation includes, among others, Mcebisi Jonas, special envoy for Investment of South African President’s Cyril Ramaphosa and former Deputy Minister of Finance (2014-2017); Moeketsi Majoro, Finance Minister of Lesotho; Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria from 1976 to 1979 and from 1999 to 2007; as well as other political figures and businessmen.

Obasanjo is also president of the Brenthurst Foundation, a Johannesburg-based think-tank created by the Oppenheimer family in 2004 to boost financing of development projects and promote competitiveness in Africa.

The members of the African delegation will also hold working meetings with representatives of the public sector and with economic operators.

Morocco, which returned to the African Union in January 2017, is strongly committed to South-South cooperation under the impetus of King Mohammed VI, fervent defender of solidarity between the Kingdom and the countries of sub-Saharan Africa.

Since his enthronement in 1999, the Moroccan sovereign paid numerous visits to countries across Africa where he launched human, economic, and social development projects.