1.

What is the historical background of Morocco's diplomatic relations with African

countries?

Morocco was involved in many diplomatic relations with the African countries a serious

time before the protectorate and before even the arrival of Islam. it has always been a very

important commercial land for the Mediterranean civilizations like Phoenicians and

Carthaginians. Morocco also had lived a very important diplomatic relations during the

ruling of the whole Islamic dynasties especially while the conquest of the southern parts of

Spain.

2.What are the key initiatives and policies that Morocco has implemented to strengthen

its diplomatic ties with African countries?

I think that Morocco has always opt for communication as a key policy to manage its

conflicts and to keep its relations as good as possible with its neighbors. Also , the Moroccan

initiatives or cooperations with other African countries were never serving only its aims, they

are always benefits for both countries, the latest example is the Moroccan Nigerian gas

pipeline. Morocco will never launch such project if the other part of it is winning nothing.

Unlike other countries that was involved in many ‘’selfish’’ initiatives and projects.

3. what do you think of the withdraw of Morocco from the AU in 1984?

I see that the Moroccan withdrawal of the AU was not a sign to cut the Diplomatic relations

with the whole members of the union, but still Morocco cannot really be a member of a

whole ideology that does not defend its own territory and not recognize the Moroccan

sovereignty over its Sahara. The agreement on the integration of SADR in the AU was a
direct insult and a disregard of the Moroccan position as well as the Moroccan presence in

the African Union.

4.What are the challenges and opportunities that Morocco faces in its diplomatic efforts

in Africa and how can it overcome these challenges?

I do believe that Morocco today is in the best state in matter of diplomatic relations with the

African countries. And the exception does never make the rule, the dispute over the

Moroccan Saraha is between Morocco and an imaginary organization and not a country and

no matter how much African countries is supporting those people, Morocco try as much as it

can to sustain peace and good relations with everyone and that what is always shown in the

king’s speeches. Therefore, Morocco does not have any difficulties in the matter of its

diplomatic efforts and this is for me the golden opportunity to improve these relations as well

as to invest in more economic projects.

5. What impact has Morocco's reintegration into the African Union had on its

diplomatic relations with other African countries, and how has this affected the

country's overall strategy in the region?

By entering the African Union in January 2017, Morocco put an end to the empty-chair

policy that caused Rabat to leave the Organization of African Unity in 1984 after the Sahrawi

Arab Democratic Republic was granted full membership. The reintegration will give the

opportunity to Morocco to be part of the referendums set by the AU as well as the project and

the future cooperation with other members. In 2001 Morocco had no choice to participate in

the refounding of the organization in 2001, when it was transformed into the African Union
(AU). It also meant it could not take part in regional development initiatives for Africa like

NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development).