The foreign ministers of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES - Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger) on Tuesday in Seville praised Morocco’s efforts, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, to support Africa’s development.
In remarks to the press on the sidelines of the 4th United Nations International Conference on Financing for Development, the top diplomats of the AES countries paid tribute to His Majesty the King for his sustained commitment to the development of the Sahel, and in particular, for the Royal Initiatives promoting economic and social progress in the region.
Bakary Yaou Sangaré, Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigeriens Abroad, highly praised the Kingdom of Morocco’s support, under the leadership of His Majesty the King, for South-South cooperation for the benefit of Africa.
The Nigerien foreign minister highlighted the Royal Initiative aimed at granting Sahel countries access to the Atlantic Ocean, calling it a “boon” for the four landlocked nations (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad) enabling them to integrate into the global market.
He also emphasized Morocco’s key role in financing investments across Africa, developing skills and improving youth employability on the continent.
For his part, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, said Morocco is a pioneering actor in South-South cooperation and plays a central role in strengthening ties among African countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa. He noted that the first South-South development projects were initiated and funded by the Kingdom of Morocco.
“The Royal Initiative to facilitate Sahel countries’ access to the Atlantic Ocean aligns with the development needs of our countries, as it allows us to overcome landlocked constraints and connect with the international market,” he said.
Echoing this view, Mali’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop, stressed the importance for AES member countries to access international markets to transform their economies, improve citizens’ lives and foster regional security.
“There can be no development without security, which is why it is urgent to combat terrorism and its sources of financing,” he stated.
MAP: 01 July 2025
