Morocco Reaffirms Commitment to Fully Participate in Peace Consolidation in Africa – Diplomat

Morocco, under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, reaffirms its commitment to participate fully in the maintenance and consolidation of peace in the main regions of the world in conflict, especially in Africa, reiterated, Monday in Addis Ababa, the Ambassador Permanent Representative of the Kingdom to the African Union (AU) and the UNECA, Mohamed Arrouchi. Arrouchi, who was speaking at the 5th Annual Consultative Meeting held between the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) on climate and peacebuilding in Africa, stressed that Morocco remains fully committed alongside its African partners and brothers, to ensure the establishment of a lasting peace in Africa, which guarantees the well-being and prosperity of the continent’s people. The Kingdom has been committed since its independence to respond favorably to the calls of the international community to prevent conflicts or restore peace and security throughout the world, said the Moroccan diplomat, noting that the participation of Morocco is regularly plebiscite at the level of the international community, and especially within the United Nations, the organization responsible for maintaining international peace and security. The Royal Armed Forces are recognized for their competence, dedication, self-sacrifice and courage in the field. Moroccan peacekeepers have been honored by the UN and its member states for their commitment to peacekeeping operations, in which Morocco has participated since its independence, said Arrouchi. The Kingdom’s efforts to promote peace and security in Africa are reflected in its active contribution to various missions deployed in the African continent in addition to the humanitarian component with the deployment of several field medical-surgical hospitals in recent years, in addition to humanitarian support to cope with various crises, including the pandemic of COVID-19, recalled the Moroccan diplomat. Relying on its experience and operational potential, the Kingdom inscribes its efforts in the service of peace and security in Africa and confirms its commitment to the defense of the values of peace and security, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States in accordance with the principles of international law, said Arrouchi. He also added that in the face of the multiple challenges facing the African continent, Morocco calls for promoting a South-South and triangular winning cooperation, adopting comprehensive, integrated and inclusive approaches, through the maintenance and consolidation of peace and the promotion of sustainable development. Based on the reality of the nexus peace, security and development, there can be no lasting peace without economic development, as highlighted during the Tangier Conference on “Promoting the Nexus Peace, Security and Development, perspective of regional integration”, held by the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the AU, from 25 to 27 October last, under the Moroccan presidency of the PSC, said Arrouchi. The work of this conference was sanctioned by the adoption of the Declaration of Tangier, which enshrined the importance of the relationship between peace, security and development in the strategies and programs for the establishment of peace and security and the fight against terrorism and extremism on the African continent by identifying with all stakeholders concerned, pilot projects that have a real impact on the daily lives of African citizens and the African population, the most valuable resource of our dear continent, he said. Referring to the situation on the Continent, the Moroccan diplomat stressed that Africa is, unfortunately, the scene of several armed conflicts that have deeply destabilized many of its states and permanently affected its people. These conflicts, in one way or another, have mortgaged the foundations of economic growth and human development, and slowed down progress towards the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the African Union’s Agenda 2063, deplored Arrouchi. Despite the progress made in resolving the many conflicts and crises facing the continent, millions of people continue to be negatively affected by the severe after-effects of these conflicts and enormous challenges remain for the countries and regional communities concerned to reap the benefits of peace and stability resulting from conflict resolution, the Moroccan diplomat noted. In this regard, the AU’s efforts and initiatives in post-conflict reconstruction and development must place greater emphasis on, among other things, peacebuilding and preventing a relapse into violence, the implementation of reconstruction activities, and strengthening complementarities and coordination among various actors involved in post-conflict reconstruction and development processes, demobilization, disarmament and reintegration of former combatants, return and reintegration of displaced populations, long-term sustainable development, without forgetting to promote the foundations of good political and socio-economic governance, with a view to strengthening and deepening the regional integration process in Africa, insisted Arrouchi.