Bridging South and North: The importance of South-South Cooperation in Moroccan Foreign Policy

 The fifth day of the ongoing Africa Week event featured the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco, HE Mr Mohamed Achgalou, who delivered key points as to how South-South cooperation is a strategic pillar of the Kingdom of Morocco’s Foreign Policy. The session also featured other panelists, Ms. Tiina Kukkamaa-Bah, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa Programme at CMI (Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation), and Dr. Thomas Babila Sama, University of Helsinki. Dr. Josephine Atanga served as the moderator.

In this article, we will be reviewing major talking points from the discussion that took place on Friday, May 23, specifically from the Ambassador’s perspective.

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco, HE Mr Mohamed Achgalou speaking

Speaking during the session, the ambassador said, “We (Morocco) are open to cooperation and trade with every country, national and international relationship are built on mutual interest. Be pragmatic in the approach of building values and understanding the rules of law that pertains to human rights, women and children.”

Further, he spoke about how Morocco can execute proper business plans to work alongside other nations from across Africa and the rest of the world.

In this context, he illustrated the Moroccan approach by “the Atlantic Africa initiative, launched in 2023, by the King of Morocco in support of landlocked Sahel countries, represents a new economic and development doctrine. It transcends traditional paradigms by embracing a pragmatic, ambitious, forward-looking, and unifying approach to prosperity and human development

L-R: Moderator, Dr Josephine Atanga, HE Mr Mohamed Achgalou, Ms. Tiina Kukkamaa-Bah,
Dr. Thomas Babila Sama

The following suggestions were made:

The panelists at the forum

1. Business is aimed at a Win-win situation. It is the approach of the business partner towards their respective objectives.

2. The private sector should be included in the South-South cooperation.

How can the North integrate with the South?

The following are key points that were developed during the discussion:

1. Good governance.

2. Capital flow between the North and the South. Loans should be given. Foreign investment.

3. Peace and security. The private sector wants security and safety to operate and flourish. North-South relations should be built

4. ⁠Promotion of arts and culture in Finland (from Nigeria)- culture and human connection is the process that makes the initiative achievable. Simple conversation between people of various communities to express themselves.

5. Academia has contributed to the development of the EU through research and education. Africans can get better through dialogue and the continuous establishment of value.

“There is no good war and there is no bad peace. The peaceful resolution of conflicts, alongside the promotion of freedom, the understanding and respect of fundamental human rights, and the full recognition of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of independent states, constitute the only viable foundation for sustainable development, lasting peace, and enduring security,” this is according to the Ambassador.

Additionally, it is essential for cooperation and dialogue to help understanding and development.

Challenges of Crisis management intervention/conflict resolution in Africa:

1. Disagreement and conflict are often solved through military means rather than dialogue (according to Tina Kukkamaa-Bah, CMI- Marti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation). Nations should look at solving issues rather than instigating conflict.

2. Fragmented peace mediation. The United Nations (UN) is no longer able to curb and control the spread of conflict in the world.

3. Immigration is a global phenomenon. According to the Ambassador, it’s human nature, it wouldn’t change, it needs a global and pragmatic and burden-sharing oriented global action. South-South cooperation is about human development and human movement that would progress Africa.