Organized by the Moroccan Embassy in Mexico, in coordination with the Fatima Mernissi Chair at the Autonomous University of Mexico, this event was an opportunity to highlight the contribution of the Kingdom under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, in the development of Africa and the strengthening of solidarity between its countries in the interest of the peoples and aspirations of the continent.
Speaking on this occasion, the Kingdom’s ambassador to Mexico, Abdelfattah Lebbar, reaffirmed Morocco’s African depth, and its continued commitment to the emergence of a strong and bold Africa, capable of defending its interests and making its voice heard on the international scene.
Morocco’s return to the African Union (AU) has allowed it to consolidate its African membership, through the signing of around 1,000 cooperation agreements with other African states, Mr. Lebbar stressed.
The ambassador recalled that Morocco’s commitment to the emancipation of Africa was one of the priorities of the Kingdom’s foreign policy, which was one of the pioneers in the fight against colonialism.
For his part, South African Ambassador to Mexico, Dennis Thokozani Dlomo, noted that Morocco contributes significantly to the defense of major African issues, starting with its tireless support for liberation movements on the continent, to its efforts for the development and economic emergence of the continent.
“Morocco provided significant support to former President Nelson Mandela, in addition to its support for the struggle of the South African people to free themselves from the yoke of apartheid,” Mr. Dlomo recalled in a statement to MAP.
For the South African ambassador, the continent is today facing major challenges that require sustained and global economic momentum and the combined efforts of all its countries to move forward on the path to united and sustainable progress.
For his part, the Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire in Mexico, Robert Djérou LY, indicated that Africa Day is an opportunity to recall Morocco’s historic contribution to the political emancipation of the continent, and to underline its commitment under the wise leadership of HM the King to work for the stability and prosperity of the continent.
“The Kingdom’s commitment to Africa is illustrated by the significant investments and cooperation agreements it has signed with many African countries, with a view to accelerating development and ensuring a prosperous future,” he said.
The Ivorian diplomat recalled, in this regard, the solidarity of the Kingdom with other African countries during the Covid-19 pandemic, in particular through its medical assistance widely praised on the continent and at the international level.
For her part, Guadalupe Valencia García, coordinator of the Faculty of Humanities at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, which hosted the event, indicated that the celebration of this day is also an opportunity to emphasize the importance of strengthening relations between Morocco and Mexico given the strategic geographical position of these two countries as a gateway to Africa and Latin America, within the framework of the development of South-South cooperation.
The celebration of Africa Day was attended by numerous African and Arab diplomatic representations in Mexico, as well as academics and students from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and representatives of local associations of indigenous peoples and Afro-American communities.
The event was marked by the screening of a documentary film on “Morocco and the liberation movements in Africa” directed by Hassan El Bahrouti, which highlights the most significant stages of Morocco’s struggle against colonialism within the continent since independence to the present day.
The Embassy of the Kingdom also set up a stand on this occasion highlighting Moroccan culinary art, in honor of the ambassadors and diplomatic corps accredited to Mexico.
Africa Day marks the founding in 1963 of the Organization of African Unity, the precursor to the AU, and provides an annual opportunity to reflect on the continent’s challenges and achievements.
2024-08-19 03:06:25