While France is losing ground in the Sahel, Morocco is positioning itself as a trusted partner for these states. The keys to Morocco's approach in this region are drawing interest from certain circles in Paris. «In his Afro-optimist approach, His Majesty King Mohammed VI has always refused to see the Sahel as an inevitability. This is why he has visited Mali four times since 2012, investing heavily in training 500 imams at the Mohammed VI Institute for Imam Training and initiating numerous development projects, in addition to Morocco's presence in the banking and economic sectors», explained the Minister of Foreign Affairs in an interview published in the weekly magazine Le Point. «It is in this spirit that the royal initiative was launched, offering Sahel countries access to Moroccan ports, storage areas, logistical infrastructure, fiber optics, and assistance with customs procedures. The idea is to open up the Sahel, to bring it out of its isolation». Nasser Bourita «The reactions to this royal initiative have been very positive: three ministerial meetings have already taken place, and task forces have been established by the concerned heads of state to promote ownership of this initiative. A reference document has been produced and will soon be submitted to the heads of state for approval, with projects to be launched in the short, medium, and long term», he noted with satisfaction. Without judging the failure of French policy in the Sahel, the Minister of Foreign Affairs diplomatically stated that «France, also engaged in this region, pursues its objectives, but with its own approach. The common goal remains the stabilization of the Sahel, with deep respect for the choices of its peoples and with a firm commitment to promote their development». In his speech to the Moroccan Parliament, President Emmanuel Macron praised Morocco's approach in this African region. «I know I can draw inspiration from your country and its action in the Sahara and Sahel. We need stability in this region that respects its people».
