Guinea has once again reaffirmed its support for the Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over its Southern Provinces. This position was clearly expressed on Tuesday in Conakry, on the occasion of the eighth session of the Morocco-Guinea Joint Cooperation Commission.
The proceedings of the meeting were co-chaired by Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, and his Guinean counterpart, Morissanda Kouyaté, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Guineans Abroad.
In his opening speech, the head of Guinean diplomacy reaffirmed Conakry’s consistent position on the Sahara issue. He stressed that the Republic of Guinea maintains its support for the Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara as well as the Kingdom’s sovereignty over its Southern Provinces.
Morissanda Kouyaté also stated that the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco, under Moroccan sovereignty, constitutes the solution to the regional dispute. This initiative is advocated by Rabat before the United Nations Security Council.
The Guinean minister also recalled the importance of the opening of the Consulate General of Guinea in Dakhla in January 2020. This diplomatic representation is presented by Conakry as a concrete demonstration of its support for Morocco and as a symbol of the strength of relations between the two countries.
For his part, Nasser Bourita expressed the Kingdom’s gratitude for Guinea’s consistent support for the national cause. The Moroccan minister particularly welcomed the positions adopted by Conakry within various regional and international organizations and bodies.
Beyond the Sahara issue, the meeting allowed both sides to reaffirm their determination to give new momentum to the strategic partnership between Rabat and Conakry.
The two ministers welcomed the depth of the relations of friendship, cooperation and solidarity between the two countries. They also highlighted the mutual esteem and respect that characterize relations between King Mohammed VI and President Mamadi Doumbouya.
Following an in-depth review of bilateral cooperation, the two officials expressed their ambition to elevate the Morocco-Guinea partnership to a strategic level, based on common interests, shared prosperity and sustainable development.
Rabat and Conakry thus intend to make their cooperation an innovative model of South-South partnership, particularly by strengthening economic and trade exchanges.
In this context, Nasser Bourita welcomed President Mamadi Doumbouya’s vision through the SIMANDOU 2040 programme. The Moroccan minister expressed the Kingdom’s readiness to put its experience at the service of Guinea’s development and to contribute to the implementation of this programme.
This cooperation could notably cover several priority sectors, including strategic infrastructure, security, fisheries, health, industrial and agricultural processing, food security, skills training, water resources and energy.
The eighth session of the Joint Cooperation Commission thus confirms Rabat and Conakry’s determination to take their relations to a new level, combining political support, economic cooperation and a shared ambition for development.
