Representing King Mohammed VI at an extraordinary African Union session in Luanda on Sunday, Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch outlined Morocco’s strategic commitment to continental peace and security. He called for a shift from reactive conflict management to proactive prevention through sustainable economic and social investment.
Shifting from Conflict Management to Prevention in Luanda
Morocco has made peace, security, and stability in Africa a strategic priority under the leadership of King Mohammed VI. Addressing an extraordinary African Union session in the Angolan capital, Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch argued that lasting peace cannot be built solely through responses after crises erupt.
Instead, the Moroccan official stressed that African countries must invest in long-term stability by addressing underlying economic, social, institutional, climate, and humanitarian factors. This includes creating opportunities for young people, expanding participation for women, and strengthening food, water, and energy security.
“It is necessary to gradually move from a logic of conflict management to a logic of building the conditions for peace and preventing conflicts before they break out.”
Aziz Akhannouch, Head of Government
Akhannouch also pointed to a growing range of challenges threatening continental stability, including climate change, water stress, terrorism, transnational organized crime, and the spread of non-state armed groups. He specifically warned against external interference and the growing threat of disinformation facilitated by the misuse of modern technologies.
Advocating African Ownership and Continental Financing
Akhannouch called for greater African ownership of the continent’s security and development priorities, emphasizing that international partnerships should remain balanced and complementary rather than substitutionary.
Deepening Defense Cooperation Between Morocco and Indonesia
While continental bodies deliberate on security architecture, bilateral diplomatic channels continue to expand Morocco’s defense partnerships. In Jakarta, Moroccan Ambassador Redouane Houssaini met with Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin to review bilateral ties and deepen cooperation in the field of defense.
The meeting assessed progress made under the strategic partnership signed between Morocco and Indonesia in 2023. Minister Sjamsoeddin praised the positive trajectory of relations, placing particular emphasis on joint training programs, the exchange of expertise, and strengthened direct contacts between the armed forces of both nations.
Ambassador Houssaini underscored that Morocco views Indonesia as a strategic partner in Southeast Asia and a key actor in the Islamic world. Both nations emphasized their commitment to pragmatic, inclusive multilateralism and agreed to pursue further consultations to develop a mutually beneficial defense framework.
Reaffirming Strategic Ties with Russia
Diplomatic engagement also extended to Eastern Europe as Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita held a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to reaffirm the strength of ties between Morocco and Russia.
The two officials expressed mutual satisfaction with the quality of friendship linking their countries. The diplomatic exchange coincided with the 10th anniversary of their enhanced strategic partnership, which was originally signed in March 2016 in Moscow during a visit by King Mohammed VI.
During their call, Bourita and Lavrov exchanged views on regional and international issues, emphasizing the importance of continued consultation and closer coordination to support international peace and stability.
Supporting Palestinian Resilience and Multilateral Engagement
At the multilateral level, Morocco maintained its active diplomatic posture in the Middle East. Speaking at the 23rd extraordinary meeting of foreign ministers from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OCI) in Jeddah, the Kingdom reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to supporting the Palestinian people.
Mustapha Mansouri, Morocco’s ambassador to Riyadh and permanent representative to the OCI, highlighted the concrete humanitarian and development work carried out on the ground by the Bayt Mal Al-Qods Agency, the executive arm of the Al-Qods Committee. The agency’s projects focus on improving living conditions and preserving the social fabric for residents of the city.
The extraordinary OCI session gathered member states to address ongoing developments in Al-Qods and its Islamic and Christian holy sites, aiming to formulate a unified response against escalatory measures targeting the city’s legal and historical identity.
