On Tuesday, Morocco and Zambia both indicated a desire to strengthen and expand their current levels of collaboration.

Nasser Bourita, minister of foreign affairs, African cooperation, and Moroccan expatriates, and Stanley Kasongo Kakubo, minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, met to discuss bilateral relations in a number of different areas, according to a joint statement. The two ministers had fruitful discussions during which they praised the strong bonds of friendship and solidarity between the two countries.

The statement continues, “On this occasion, the two parties expressed their satisfaction with the sustained pace of reciprocally beneficial cooperation between the two countries and agreed that there was room for deeper and broader cooperation in many areas, including infrastructure, agriculture, renewable energy, education, and vocational training.

In this context, Bourita reaffirmed Morocco’s dedication to assisting Zambia in strengthening and developing its human resources through the provision of scholarships and other educational opportunities.

According to the same source, Kakudo expressed his “deep gratitude” for Morocco’s initiatives to support an advanced educational system and a skilled labor force in Zambia in particular and in Africa as a whole.

According to a statement, Morocco and Zambia agreed to expand and diversify their mutually beneficial sectoral partnership in recognition of the significant economic potential that both countries offer. The statement also stated that the goal was to increase business opportunities by creating a favorable environment for Moroccan and Zambian investors.

In this context, they agreed to initiate cooperation in the agricultural field, by launching pilot projects in the fields of soil research, irrigation and fertilizers, and in the industrial sector, by encouraging the exchange of knowledge and expertise, with particular emphasis on the development of joint ventures in the manufacture of electric cars, given the complementary nature of the two countries.

The two ministers also decided to push their respective countries’ sectoral ministries to improve their coordination.

According to the document, the two sides concurred that the Joint Cooperation Commission’s (JCC) inaugural session will take place on a date that will be decided through diplomatic channels, reaffirming the JCC’s significance as a crucial mechanism for enhancing ongoing cooperation between the two nations.

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Moroccan Sahara is now the “most stable and prosperous region in Africa,” Thanks to the new development model, according to Grace Njapau, former Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Zambia, who noted that this big project has changed the face of this part of the Kingdom.

“This restructuring effort has drastically reshaped the region’s economic and development potential,” Ms. Njapau said before the UN General Assembly’s 4th committee on Wednesday.

This new model is part of a comprehensive and integrated national development strategy aimed at improving the living conditions of local populations and carrying out major infrastructure projects, with the goal of ensuring a sustainable economic take-off in the region, she explained, noting that the new dynamic, triggered by the new development model that attracts local and international investments, is likely to make this region a hub for economic exchanges and a cultural center, she said.

In this light, the Moroccan Sahara, through the port of Dakhla Atlantique, is envisioned as Africa’s principal port platform, as well as a transit point for international trade connecting Africa to Europe and America. And Asia, as the former Zambian official pointed out.

She also mentioned that this new development model, which is built on excellent governance within the context of increased regionalization, fosters trust and democracy in order to ensure long-term development.

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The position of the Republic of Zambia regarding the Moroccan Sahara matter remains “constant” and “positive”, and in accordance with international law and the interests of the Kingdom of Morocco.

During a press conference held on Friday, March 5th, in Rabat, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, emphasized that Zambia’s position regarding the Moroccan Sahara matter still remains “constant” and “positive”, and in accordance with international law and the interests of the Kingdom of Morocco.

Following his meeting with Zambian counterpart, Joseph Malanji, Bourita extended his thanks to the Republic of Zambia for this “active” and “constant” support to the legitimate positions of Morocco.

The minister indicated, “We often exchange on our bilateral relations and on regional issues, in particular within the African continent and within the framework of the African Union (AU)”, adding that this work is held within the framework of the roadmap, put in place during King Mohammed VI’s visit to Lusaka in 2017, and during which many agreements were signed and a vision for bilateral cooperation was established.

Since then, he added, “we are committed to implementing this roadmap with many concrete actions”.

In this regard, Bourita said that on the economic level, trade between the two countries has evolved by nearly 25% since 2018, adding that political consultations are more regular and that coordination is done on almost all subjects. .

The minister also stated that cooperation in the field of education has been strengthened by granting nearly a hundred scholarships to pursue studies in Zambia, including 30 in southern provinces.

He also said that the diplomatic representations of Morocco in Lusaka and Zambia in Rabat and Laayoune will strengthen the interaction between the two countries and boost sectoral cooperation, especially as they will have a role important to play to support the positive dynamic experienced by bilateral relations.

For his part, the Zambian minister made it clear that Zambia has appointed its “best diplomats” to work in these two diplomatic representations. Malanji also rejected allegations relayed by Algerian media of a withdrawal of the Zambian consulate from Laayoune, stressing that Zambia is a “sovereign state” which communicates through official and government channels and does not react to allegations spread via social networks.

“The inauguration of the Zambian embassy on October 24th, 2020, our independence day, is a clear indication of the trajectory of our relations,” concluded Malanji.

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The two posts were inaugurated in October 2020 in the presence of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Zambia

On February, 18th, the Public Relations Office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Zambia released a press statement confirming the maintain of both Zambian Embassy in Rabat and General Consulate in Laayoune as part of the country’s Diplomatic Missions establishment.

This follows fake news and rumors stating the closure of Zambian Consulate in Laayoune.

In the same press release, the Zambian Ministry confirmed that the number of employees in both the embassy in Rabat and the consulate in Laayoune will be increased and services enhanced as soon as the Covid-19 pandemic recedes, noting that among Morocco’s Mission duties is providing assistance to 300 Zambian students who are currently pursuing their education in all parts of Morocco.

It should be recalled that Morocco and the Republic of Zambia enjoy excellent relations at various levels, as a number of agreements were signed, especially after His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s visit to the capital Lusaka, and Zambia defending the territorial integrity of the Kingdom.

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