The Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa praised Morocco’s democratic experience and expressed the desire to enhance bilateral cooperation with the Kingdom of Morocco.
On Friday in Johannesburg, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Morocco, Rachid Talbi El Alami, met with Angela Thokozile Didiza, the Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa. This bilateral meeting occurred on the sidelines of the 12th Annual Conference of Speakers of African Parliaments, being held from September 18 to 20.
Mr. Talbi El Alami began by congratulating Ms. Didiza on her election as head of the South African legislative body. He also extended an invitation to her for an official visit to Morocco, along with a parliamentary delegation, to strengthen cooperative relations between the two Parliaments.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives highlighted Morocco’s historical role in supporting liberation movements across Africa, emphasizing Rabat’s significant assistance to Pretoria in its struggle against colonialism, as frequently noted by Nelson Mandela. Mr. Talbi El Alami reiterated Morocco’s readiness to foster beneficial cooperation with South Africa, aiming to extend it to various strategic sectors.
“Morocco and South Africa, as influential nations in Africa, must leverage their comparative advantages to enhance cooperation for the benefit of their peoples and the entire continent,” he stated. He pointed out the numerous strategic projects initiated by Morocco under the forward-looking vision of King Mohammed VI, particularly mentioning the Africa-Atlantic Royal Initiative, development of renewable energies, the automotive industry, aeronautics, new technologies, human resources development, climate change mitigation, and agriculture.
Mr. Talbi El Alami affirmed that Morocco is prepared to share its expertise with South Africa across various fields, noting that the Kingdom is a leading exporter of citrus fruits to both the European Union and sub-Saharan Africa.
In response, Ms. Didiza expressed her gratitude to Mr. Talbi El Alami for the invitation to visit Morocco. She discussed her country’s democratic experience, recalling the recent general elections held on May 29, which resulted in the establishment of a national unity government following extensive negotiations.
Ms. Didiza praised Morocco’s democratic experience and conveyed her desire to cultivate fruitful bilateral cooperation with the Kingdom.
The Moroccan delegation attending the conference also included Laila Dahi from the National Rally of Independents (RNI), Khadija Arouhal from the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), Abdessamad Haiker from the Justice and Development Party (PJD), and Hanaa Benkhair from the General Union of Workers of Morocco (UGTM).
RT/ac/APA
The Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa Praises Morocco’s Democratic Experience
The Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, Angela Thokozile Didiza, commended Morocco’s democratic journey during a significant bilateral meeting with Rachid Talbi El Alami, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Morocco.
Details of the Meeting
This important meeting took place on Friday in Johannesburg as part of the 12th Annual Conference of Speakers of African Parliaments, occurring from September 18 to 20. Mr. Talbi El Alami began the discussions by extending his congratulations to Ms. Didiza for her recent election, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts between the two legislative bodies.
Invitation to Foster Cooperation
During the meeting, Mr. Talbi El Alami extended an official invitation for Ms. Didiza to visit Morocco along with a parliamentary delegation. This invitation aims to foster and strengthen the cooperative relationship between Morocco and South Africa’s Parliaments.
Historical Context and Support
Mr. Talbi El Alami also emphasized Morocco’s historical role in supporting liberation movements across Africa, particularly its unwavering support for South Africa during its struggle against colonialism. This aspect of cooperation resonates deeply with both countries, as recognized by Nelson Mandela’s acknowledgments of Morocco’s critical support.
Areas of Cooperation
Morocco and South Africa, as prominent nations on the continent, are encouraged to leverage their unique strengths to bolster partnership opportunities that benefit both their peoples and the continent as a whole.
Key Strategic Projects and Initiatives
Morocco’s Vision under King Mohammed VI
Mr. Talbi El Alami delineated several strategic initiatives developed under the visionary leadership of King Mohammed VI. He specifically mentioned:
- Africa-Atlantic Royal Initiative
- Advancements in renewable energy projects
- Growth in the automobile industry
- Developments in aeronautics and new technologies
- Enhancements in human resource development
- Efforts to combat climate change
- Innovations in agricultural practices
Morocco’s Expertise and Contributions
Moreover, Morocco’s status as a major exporter of citrus fruits to the European Union and sub-Saharan Africa was highlighted as an area ripe for collaboration. Mr. Talbi El Alami expressed Morocco’s readiness to share its expertise in this domain and others with South Africa.
South Africa’s Democratic Progress
In her remarks, Ms. Didiza expressed gratitude for the invitation to visit Morocco and discussed her country’s recent democratic experience. She reflected on the May 29 general elections, which successfully led to the formation of a national unity government after extensive negotiations.
Mutual Intentions for Cooperation
Ms. Didiza praised Morocco’s commitment to democratic principles and articulated her desire to cultivate a fruitful bilateral relationship with the Kingdom.
Delegation Highlights
The Moroccan delegation at the conference included notable figures such as:
- Laila Dahi – National Rally of Independents (RNI)
- Khadija Arouhal – Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS)
- Abdessamad Haiker – Justice and Development Party (PJD)
- Hanaa Benkhair – General Union of Workers of Morocco (UGTM)
Benefits of Bilateral Cooperation
Joint Ventures and Economic Opportunities
Cooperation between Morocco and South Africa holds numerous benefits, including:
- Enhanced economic growth through joint ventures in various sectors.
- Sharing best practices and expertise, particularly in governance and democratic processes.
- Strengthening trade relations that could lead to increased exports and imports between the two nations.
- Collectively addressing climate change and sustainability challenges.
- Investing in human resource development to build skilled workforce capacities.
Strategic Regional Impact
The partnership between these two nations paves the way for strategic regional influence in Africa, promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development. Leveraging Africa’s rich resources and potential through cooperation can significantly impact the continent’s socio-economic landscape.
Looking Ahead
As Morocco and South Africa move forward, the focus will be on actualizing the discussions held during this fruitful meeting. Both nations are presented with an opportunity to not only enhance their bilateral relations but also contribute positively to the broader African narrative of collaboration and progress.
Table: Key Strategic Projects in Morocco
| Project Name | Description | Sector |
|---|---|---|
| Africa-Atlantic Royal Initiative | Connecting Africa and the Atlantic for development. | Regional Integration |
| Renewable Energy Initiatives | Projects aimed at harnessing wind and solar power. | Energy |
| Automotive Industry Development | Expansion of manufacturing capabilities. | Manufacturing |
| Aeronautics Growth Plan | Investment in the aerospace sector. | Aerospace |
| Climate Change Action | Strategic initiatives for sustainability. | Environment |
