Politics

Strengthening Bilateral Relations: Morocco and The Gambia Forge New Partnerships

Friday 26 January 2024 - 09:45

Morocco and The Gambia took a significant step forward in their relationship on Thursday as the two nations signed a series of agreements aimed at elevating their bilateral ties to a "multidimensional partnership."

Addressing the 3rd Morocco-Gambia Joint Cooperation Commission in Dakhla, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita emphasized the goal of transforming the longstanding friendship between Rabat and Banjul into tangible collaboration across various sectors.

This session, convened a decade after the previous one, aims to revive an essential mechanism that had remained dormant for ten years. Ministers and officials from both sides convened to inject fresh momentum into the relationship.

Bourita highlighted that the commission presented an opportunity to "build upon past achievements and explore new prospects" for the mutual benefit of both peoples. He cited the recent establishment of a Gambian consulate in Dakhla as an example of the progress being made.

The foreign minister acknowledged that although Morocco and The Gambia have historically been close allies, their partnership has lacked in the economic domain. He unveiled plans for a Morocco-Gambia business forum scheduled for next May to stimulate increased trade and investment.

Among the 11 newly signed agreements, priority areas include youth affairs, environmental conservation, tourism, and sports cooperation. Morocco has also offered to leverage its expertise in governance to support Gambian President Adama Barrow's reform agenda.

Through deeper collaboration across multiple fronts, Morocco and The Gambia have underscored their strong commitment to elevating their bilateral relations to unprecedented levels.