The Republic of The Gambia reiterated on Thursday in Dakhla its “unwavering” support for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom and its endorsement of the Autonomy Initiative as the only “credible and realistic” solution for resolving the dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.
This stance was expressed in a joint communiqué issued at the end of the third session of the Joint Commission for Morocco-Gambia Cooperation, co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and the Gambian Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad, Mamadou Tangara.
In this joint communiqué, the Gambian foreign minister reiterated his country’s unwavering support for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco.
Recalling the opening of a Gambian Consulate General in Dakhla in January 2020, Tangara also reaffirmed his country’s support for the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, presented by the Kingdom in 2007, which represents the only credible and realistic solution for resolving this dispute.
The Foreign Minister of the Gambia expressed the firm support of the Republic of The Gambia for the search for a lasting solution that preserves the territorial integrity, unity, and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco, under the exclusive auspices of the United Nations.
The Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of The Gambia also agreed to further develop their economic partnership and increase bilateral exchanges, reaffirming their commitment to explore new avenues of cooperation in priority areas such as investment, industry, trade, fishing, and renewable energy. In the Joint Communique issued at the end of the 3rd session of the Joint Cooperation Commission, both parties emphasised the importance of creating a more conducive environment for mutual investments and encouraging the business communities of both countries to fully explore and take advantage of the opportunities offered by their expanding markets and developing infrastructures.
The two ministers spoke enthusiastically about the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline, which will connect Nigerian gas to at least 15 West African countries, including the Republic of The Gambia. In this regard, Tangara expressed confidence that this historic project will bring economic benefits to the entire sub-region and ensure access to electricity for millions of people.
In the margins of the Commission, they also signed several cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding covering different sectors including an agreement on mutual assistance between the customs administrations of both countries.
Both parties also signed a cooperation agreement in the field of maritime fishing, aiming to establish a framework for cooperation between the two parties in respect of fishing, including technical and scientific research, aquaculture, fish processing industries, and promoting partnership in the private sector of maritime fishing.
