Morocco rejects foreign interference in the Sahel and supports the stability of Burkina Faso

Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, said that “Morocco is concerned with security and stability in the Sahel region and trusts the ability of the countries of the region to achieve a democratic transition,” stressing at the same time that “the Kingdom rejects foreign interference in the Sahel and has always confronted all attempts.” Which aims to give lessons or outbid these countries by some of the countries neighboring the region.”

The same government official explained in a press conference with his Burkinabé counterpart, today, Friday in Rabat, that “the Kingdom of Morocco does not adhere to this logic in its dealings with the Sahel countries, as it relies on a policy of accompanying and following, and not on a policy of replacing these countries, because it believes that the latter are “Mature countries that have sufficient knowledge to determine the parameters and plans of their policies,” noting that “Morocco is ready to offer its expertise and experience in order to keep pace with the internal programs of these countries, away from the logic of one-upmanship.”

Regarding Moroccan-Burkinabe relations, Bourita pointed to their strength, saying that “the visit of the Burkinabe Foreign Minister to Rabat comes within the framework of the strong relations between our two countries, and within the framework of the special interest that His Majesty King Mohammed VI attaches to relations with the Sahel countries,” adding that “the relations between the two countries “It is rooted and distinguished by its diversity, as it includes economic aspects through the strong presence of Moroccan companies in this country, as well as humanitarian aspects, in addition to academic aspects, as Morocco gives about 200 scholarships annually to Burkinabés.”

He pointed out that he agreed with his guest to “strengthen sectoral visits in four areas, related to agriculture, transportation, renewable energy, and security fields, as well as enhancing academic cooperation, as the scholarships granted to Burkinabés will be increased to 250 scholarships as of next year.”

In a similar context, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad stressed that “King Mohammed VI supports stability in Burkina Faso, and Morocco is following with interest President Ibrahim Traoré’s initiatives to support development in the country, and supports this trend, whether through technical or economic cooperation.” He highlighted that Burkina Faso benefited from the support allocated by the Kingdom of Morocco to its African friends during the “Covid-19” pandemic, stressing that “solidarity is the basis of bilateral relations between the two countries.”

The same spokesman pointed out that “Morocco supports the efforts of the Burkinabé authorities to combat terrorism and extremism that threaten the stability of the country,” praising “the progress achieved in this country at the level of creating security conditions and maintaining the reassurance of citizens, and the insistence of the authorities in this country on this level.”