Gabon Celebrates 62nd Independence Anniversary in Laayoune

For the second consecutive year, the Embassy of Gabon in Rabat has chosen to celebrate the country’s 62nd independence anniversary in Morocco’s Laayoune, where a Consulate General had been opened in January 2020. The celebration of the national event in Laayoune reflects once more, Gabon’s unwavering support for the Moroccan Sahara and the territorial integrity of the Kingdom, said Ambassador and High Representative of Gabon to Morocco, Minko Mi Nseme Sylver Aboubacar at the opening of a ceremony held Wednesday at the Palais des Congrès of the city. “Coming to celebrate our national holiday here in Laayoune is a strong act for us and our Moroccan brothers,” said the diplomat who recalled that Gabon had participated in the Green March in 1975. This initiative, he said, is part of the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of relations between Gabon and Morocco, welcoming the excellent brotherly ties uniting the two friendly countries, under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI and President of Gabon Ali Bongo. By its geographical position and its enormous assets, the region of Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra is a “natural crossroads” to sub-Saharan Africa, which can facilitate the flow of trade between Morocco and the countries of this region, the Gabonese diplomat noted. Mr. Mi Nseme Sylver Aboubacar also welcomed the development process in the southern provinces of the Kingdom launched by HM King Mohammed VI, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, renewable energy and training. For his part, Ibrahim Boutmilat, the Secretary General of the Wilaya of the Laayoune Sakia-El Hamra region noted that the celebration of the 62nd anniversary of Gabon in Laayoune attests to the distinguished and solid relationship between Morocco and Gabon whose foundations were laid by the late HM Hassan II and the late President Haj Omar Bongo. The official welcomed the unconditional and unwavering support expressed by Gabon for the Moroccan Sahara, noting that the activities held as part of this celebration give substance to the presence of the Gabonese Consulate in Laayoune. The celebration of the event on August 16-17, under the sign “Gabon in Laayoune”, featured artistic performances that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Gabon, an exhibition of Gabonese products and visits to several flagship projects in the province of Laayoune. On the sidelines of this ceremony, a partnership agreement was signed between the Startup Grow Foundation (Morocco) and the Mouetse association for feminist combat in the public cause (Gabon) to empower women. This event was attended by several members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Laayoune and Dakhla, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans living abroad, as well as local elected officials and civil society actors.