King Mohammed VI to Chair Council of Ministers

King Mohammed VI will chair a council of ministers to prepare for Morocco’s return to the African Union.

The ministerial council will take place on Monday in special circumstances, according to Arabic-language news source, Hespress.

 
The news website’s source did not reveal the details of the agenda of this council, however, a government official was quoted by the same source that it is very likely that the meeting will address Morocco’s return to the African Union.

Analysts say Morocco’s chances to return to the AU have increased following the new orientation King Mohammed Vi has given to the country’s foreign policy in recent years, which places Africa as Morocco’s main priority.

Economic and diplomatic relations it established with sub-Saharan countries, both in east and west Africa, have earned Morocco the diplomatic support of 38 countries to return to the AU. Morocco’s return to the AU is expected to be addressed in the organization’s upcoming summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from January 22-31, 2017.

During King Mohammed VI’s visit to Ethiopia in November, its Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, has already made public his country’s support for Morocco’s return to the AU. He pointed out that in line with “Ethiopia’s strong commitment to give substance to the values and principles of the African Union,” the East-African country supports Morocco’s return to the AU “beginning from the upcoming summit.”

Economic cooperation between Morocco and Ethiopia was strengthened during King Mohammed VI’s visit to the country. During the visit, both countries launched world-class, integrated platform for fertilizer production in Ethiopia at an investment of USD 3.5 billion.

Source:Morocco World News