Morocco's King Mohammed VI waves to the crowd.
Image: Picture: AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar
King Mohammed VI of Morocco received the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger which are member states of the Sahel States Alliance at the Royal Palace in Rabat on Monday.
The high-level audience reflects Morocco's deep-rooted ties with the Sahel region and reinforces the Kingdom’s growing role in regional cooperation and development.
The ministers in attendance were Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation, and Burkinabe Nationals Abroad of Burkina Faso; Abdoulaye Diop, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali; and Bakary Yaou Sangaré, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad of Niger’s Transitional Government.
According to an official statement, the visit took place within the context of Morocco’s “strong and longstanding relations” with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which are built on “sincere friendship, mutual respect, active solidarity, and fruitful cooperation.”
During the audience, the foreign ministers conveyed to King Mohammed VI the appreciation of their respective Heads of State for his continued support and engagement with the Sahel region. They commended the King’s numerous initiatives aimed at fostering the economic and social development of their nations.
Of particular significance was the ministers’ endorsement of the King's strategic initiative to grant the Sahel countries access to the Atlantic Ocean — a move seen as critical to enhancing trade, infrastructure development, and regional integration. The ministers reaffirmed their full support for the initiative and expressed a shared commitment to accelerating its implementation.
The meeting also included discussions on the institutional and operational progress of the Alliance of Sahel States, which serves as a framework for integration and coordination among Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Established in 2023, the Alliance aims to strengthen political and security cooperation among its members following their withdrawal from ECOWAS.
This visit underscores Morocco’s emerging diplomatic role as a key partner in West Africa’s efforts to confront regional challenges and build new avenues of collaboration. The Royal Palace's reception of the Sahel ministers highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting African-led solutions for development and stability in the region.