“Morocco considers the diaspora as a privileged vector of co-development, which must be strengthened, equipped and better integrated into the prospects for economic growth and diplomatic convergence between nations,” said Mr. Amrani, during this meeting held Monday in Washington, on the occasion of the Day of the African Diaspora.
Organized by Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida and Congressman Jonathan Jackson of Illinois, the conference aims to commemorate the contribution of the African diaspora to the development of the United States and to discuss the role it could play in strengthening relations between Washington and the continent.
“The diaspora is more than a connection of heritage, it is a driving force for the progress and development of the continent,” said the Moroccan ambassador, addressing how Africans are actively shaping the political, economic and cultural spheres of the world today.
He noted that the Kingdom particularly appreciates any innovative initiative aimed at enabling African populations, whether on the continent or in the diaspora, to take charge of Africa’s development.
“Morocco has always been a reliable partner for many African countries, investing in education and sustainable development across the continent,” and “these actions are in line with the policies pursued by His Majesty King Mohammed VI for a prosperous, interconnected and integrated Africa where citizens and diasporas play an important role in the development of their countries,” said the diplomat.
He highlighted concrete examples of Morocco’s commitment, including the international initiative recently proposed by HM the King to offer landlocked countries in the Sahel access to the Atlantic Ocean, by improving local infrastructure while making Moroccan infrastructure such as the Port of Dakhla available to them.
Regarding Morocco’s support for the African diaspora, Mr. Amrani specified that as a country of origin, transit and destination, the Kingdom is fully aware of the importance of the role of migrants and diasporas, particularly in the economic development of countries of origin.
Remittances from Africans living abroad have exceeded $700 billion over the past decade, making them crucial contributors to countries’ economies, far exceeding foreign development aid or foreign direct investment.
However, these remittances present disproportionate costs compared to other regions, hence Morocco’s initiative to organize in Rabat in January 2023 the first Forum on reducing the costs of diaspora remittances, bringing together central bank governors, ministers and financial institutions in order to remedy this inequality.
The ambassador also recalled, during this conference, that Morocco is a member of the High Committee of the African Union responsible for the Decade of African Roots and the African Diaspora, chaired by Togo, which will host the next Pan-African Congress at the end of October 2024.
In this dynamic, Morocco has organized a series of events and conferences aimed at contributing to the consolidation of Africa’s role in global governance, and strengthening its voice on the international scene while ensuring that the contributions of the diaspora are recognized and used effectively.
The participation of Moroccans around the world in the influence of the African diaspora was also highlighted during this conference. With more than 5 million citizens abroad, “Morocco maintains a strong connection with its expatriates driven by the constant concern of His Majesty King Mohammed VI for Moroccans around the world,” said Youssef Amrani.
This commitment is also integrated, he said, into the Kingdom’s new development model, including strategies for Moroccans living abroad.
At the meeting, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick stressed the critical importance of the African diaspora in strengthening U.S.-Africa relations.
Highlighting the role of the diaspora as a catalyst for change, Ms. Cherfilus-McCormick advocated for the economic integration of African and Caribbean communities, while promoting shared prosperity between the two continents.
She called for more economic and cultural initiatives aimed at consolidating these historical ties and stressed that the future of bilateral relations rests on the shared commitment to promoting exchanges and opportunities.
For his part, Congressman Jonathan Jackson stressed the importance of political and security relations between the United States and Africa.
While recalling the crucial role of international cooperation in combating transnational threats, including terrorism and humanitarian crises, Mr. Jackson highlighted the importance of developing exchanges in the fields of education and technology, stressing the role of the younger generations and the diaspora in the economic transformation of Africa.
And to conclude with a call for continued dialogue to overcome common challenges and build a more stable and prosperous future for both regions.
2024-09-10 18:06:30