MP Najoua Kouskous of the Authenticity and Modernity group in the House of Representatives was elected member of this committee during the work of this session, held until January 30 under the theme "Islamic World and challenges of modernization and development".

In addition to Morocco, members of parliament from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman and Lebanon from the Arab group, were elected members of this committee.

A large Moroccan parliamentary delegation is participating in this session and other meetings.

The Moroccan parliament is represented at this event by a large delegation, chaired by Mohamed Ouzzine, Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives.

This session is marked by the participation of the representatives of the parliaments of the PUIC member countries and those of the international and regional parliamentary organizations as observers.

It takes place in a context marked by multiple challenges posed to the Islamic Ummah on the political, economic and security levels, in addition to the latest developments concerning the Palestinian cause.

The program included consultation meetings between the members of the three groups (Arab, Asian and African) composing the Union around many organizational issues, knowing that the committee of Palestine has already held a meeting on the latest developments in the Palestinian cause.

This legal and political reference document, duly argued, allows to efficiently equip the "Contact Group", acting on behalf of the signatories during the next advocacy phase of this Pan-African Campaign.

The "White Paper" is the culmination of the intellectual phase of the Campaign and a faithful reflection of the debates held. Its added value lies in its co-construction process mobilizing various African stakeholders. It is also the materialization of a vision, that of a united Africa, that of a renewed Pan-Africanism, far from the ideologies of another time, and carried by the living forces of the Continent.

Adopting the multidimensional approach that characterizes this Pan-African Campaign, the "White Paper" objectively analyzes the political, legal, economic, security and institutional repercussions of the aberrant presence of this non-state entity within the African Union on Pan-Africanism and on the Unity of the Continent.

This document develops an irrefutable factual and legal argument, relying in particular on the contradictions inherited from a manifest partiality of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and then of the AU, in the treatment of the Moroccan Sahara issue.

In the wake of the conclusions of the five sub-regional seminars and the Tangier Round Table, the "White Paper" emphasizes the concrete solutions available to the AU, in order to definitively rebalance its position on the Sahara issue and thus be able to effectively support, in all impartiality and legitimacy, the exclusive UN process.

The solution of the definitive suspension, exclusion or expulsion of the so-called "sadr" from the AU, having unanimously emerged during the Pan-African Intellectual Campaign, as an indispensable prerequisite for the return of the AU's impartiality and credibility on the Sahara issue - far from any form of manipulation or manifest bias - is a necessity in order to consolidate the Unity of the Continent and to protect it from the divisions linked to the growing separatist threats.

This solution, the regulatory modalities of which were set out in the "White Paper", because it converges with the need to serenely re-engage the AU in its role as an active, credible and impartial supporter of the UN, in accordance with the spirit and the letter of Decision 693, should not be considered a taboo or an unattainable objective. 

Its realization, which is part of a favorable dynamic, where realism and pragmatism prevail, is not only Morocco's ambition, but also that of all African states wishing to put an end to unnecessary divisions and to the permanent exploitation of an organization that serves a pan-African purpose and ideal.

The "White Paper" identifies ten factual considerations justifying the need for the AU to initiate, as soon as possible, the final suspension, exclusion or expulsion of the "sadr".

First, the so-called "sadr" imposed on the OAU/AU alone, is not a state entity since it does not possess any of the qualifying and commonly accepted attributes of an independent and sovereign state (a territory, a population and an effective government).

In addition, the so-called "sadr", based in Algerian territory, is subject to a higher sovereignty, that of Algeria. However, the "sadr", which is ineffective because it is subject to a higher sovereignty, is the only member of the AU over which the sovereignty of another member of the same organization is exercised.

Moreover, the so-called "sadr" is a non-state entity with no international legal responsibility. The so-called "sadr", which is not a party to any international legal instrument or convention outside the sole framework of the AU, cannot itself contest or be the subject of a dispute, or even request arbitration.

The admission of the "sadr" to the OAU is a legal power grab in blatant violation of its Charter and a shameless attempt to pervert the condition set out in its Article 4 regarding the membership of "any independent and sovereign African state".

Its continued membership in the AU contravenes the principles set out in Articles 3 and 4 of its Constitutive Act.

Similarly, the admission of the "sadr" to the OAU took place in a particular context, at a time when the continent was in the grip of various ideological currents that are now obsolete.

This context and the fundamental change in circumstances that resulted from its evolution were recognized by the majority of AU member states that signed the Kigali motion.

By admitting the "sadr", the OAU prejudged, in all partiality, the outcome of a process described as a "regional solution", of which it was the guarantor, and which did not reach its conclusion because of this admission.

The referendum option, favored by the OAU and then tested for a time by the UN, has proved to be inapplicable and inappropriate in the case of the Sahara.

Moreover, the presence of the "sadr" within the OAU and then the AU has distanced the organization from dealing with the Sahara issue and hinders its effectiveness, legitimacy and credibility in providing effective support to the UN process, which has rejected the referendum option for the past 20 years and which, since April 2007, has emphasized the pre-eminence of the Moroccan autonomy proposal.

Decision 693 taken by the AU at the Nouakchott Summit in July 2018 attests to the exclusivity of the UN process in the search for a "just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution" and invites, in fact, the Pan-African Organization to espouse the position of the United Nations expressed through the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, especially since April 2007 and the definition of new parameters for the settlement of this regional dispute.

The so-called "sadr", which is ineffective because of its non-state nature, does not add any value to the AU and is a source of division rather than unity.

On the contrary, it hinders the effectiveness and smooth functioning of the pan-African organization, while disrupting the smooth running of meetings, conferences and bi-regional summits between the AU and its international partners.

Finally, the presence within the AU of the so-called "sadr", a non-state emanation of an armed separatist group, illustrates the institutional vulnerability of the Organization, represents an undeniable brake on regional and continental economic integration, and, because it is the expression of a form of apology for bellicose separatism, it contributes to a constant threat of destabilization of the Maghreb and of undermining regional security within the pan-African institution and its main bodies.

During this first meeting to follow-up on the "Tangier Appeal", three former Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Lesotho, Madagascar and Gambia have proceeded to the signature of this Appeal, signed on 04 November 2022 in Tangier.

These are Lesego Makgothi, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Patrick Rajoelina, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Madagascar and Lamine Kaba Badjo, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Gambia.

With these new countries, the number of signatories now stands at 19 countries.

The "Tangier Appeal" was signed by former Prime Ministers and former African ministers from Guinea-Bissau, Djibouti, Central African Republic, Somalia, Burkina Faso, Eswatini, Benin, Comoros, Liberia, Gabon, Malawi, Cape Verde, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea and Kenya.

The signatories of the "Solemn Appeal for the expulsion of the +so-called sadr+ from the African Union", known as the "Tangier Appeal", held on Saturday in Marrakech, their First Meeting to follow up on this Appeal.

During this meeting, they reiterated their full commitment to work together and in coordination for the exclusion of this non-state entity from the African Union.

The former African Prime Ministers and Ministers also considered that this exclusion, which is legitimate from a legal point of view, should not be considered as an unattainable goal, as it is part of a favorable continental and international dynamic, where realism and pragmatism prevail, and because it represents an indispensable prerequisite for the return of the impartiality and credibility of the Pan-African Organization on the Moroccan Sahara issue.

During this meeting, they reiterated their full commitment to work together and in coordination for the expulsion of this non-state entity from the African Union (AU).

These former African Prime Ministers and Ministers also considered that this expulsion, legitimate from a legal point of view, should not be considered as an unattainable goal because it is part of a favorable continental and international dynamic, where realism and pragmatism prevail, and because it represents an essential prerequisite for the return of the impartiality and credibility of the Pan-African Organization on the Moroccan Sahara issue.

Based on the various recommendations of the Pan-African Reflection Campaign on the challenges facing the AU with regard to the Moroccan Sahara issue, which were discussed at five sub-regional seminars held between May and October 2021 in Nouakchott, Dakar, Accra, Dar es Salaam and Dakar, Accra, Dar Es-Salaam and Kinshasa, the signatories of the "Solemn Appeal for the expulsion of the +so-called sadr+ from the African Union", discussed a draft "White Paper" that they adopted unanimously, after having made their valuable contributions.

This "White Paper", entitled "The African Union and the Moroccan Sahara issue, Final Deliverable of a Deep and Inclusive Pan-African Reflection", is the outcome of the Pan-African Campaign and the faithful reflection of the debates held during the various meetings and seminars.

This "White Paper" develops an irrefutable factual and historical argument. It is a legal and political reference document, which materializes a vision of a united Africa and a renewed Pan-Africanism, far from the ideologies of another time.

It is also a plea that the so-called "sadr", imposed on the sole Organization of the African Union, is not a state entity since it has none of the qualifying attributes of a "state".

In addition, the document adds, the so-called "sadr", based in Algerian territory, is subject to a higher sovereignty, that of Algeria.

Moreover, it is a non-state entity with no international legal responsibility and its admission to the OAU is a legal coup, in blatant violation of its Charter.

The admission of the "sadr" to the OAU took place in a particular context, at a time when the continent was in the grip of various ideological currents that are now obsolete.

The "White Paper" also notes that by admitting the so-called "sadr", the OAU has prejudged, in all partiality, the outcome of a process, described as a "regional solution", just as the presence of the so-called "sadr" within the OAU and then the AU, has distanced the organization from the treatment of the Sahara issue.

Furthermore, the document notes that Decision 693 taken by the AU at the Nouakchott Summit in July 2018, attests to the exclusivity of the UN process in the search for a "just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution", noting that the so-called "sadr" » without effectiveness due to its non-state character, does not bring any added value to the AU and is a source of division rather than unity.

The "White Paper" admits that the presence within the AU of the so-called "sadr", a non-state emanation of an armed separatist group, illustrates the institutional vulnerability of the Organization and represents an undeniable brake on regional and continental economic integration.

During this First Follow-up Meeting, three new African countries signed the "Solemn Call for the expulsion of the so-called sadr from the African Union", known as the "Tangier Appeal". They are Lesotho, Madagascar and Gambia.

The "Tangier Appeal" had been signed on November 04, 2022, by former prime ministers and African ministers, including the following list:

1- Augusto António Artur da Silva, former Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau.

2- Dileita Mohamed Dileita, former Prime Minister of Djibouti.

3- Martin Ziguélé, former Prime Minister of the Central African Republic.

4- Mohamed Abdirizak Mohamud, former Foreign Minister of Somalia.

5- Alpha Barry, former Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso.

6- Lutfo Dlamini, former Foreign Minister of Eswatini.

7- Jean-Marie Ehouzou, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Benin.

8- Fahmi Saïd Ibrahim El Maceli, former Foreign Minister of the Comoros.

9- Gbehzohngar Milton Findley, former Foreign Minister of Liberia.

10- Régis Immongault Tatangani, former Foreign Minister of Gabon.

11- Francis Kasaila, former Foreign Minister of Malawi.

12- Luis Felipe Lopes Tavares, former Foreign Minister of Cape Verde

13- Mankeur Ndiaye, former Foreign Minister of Senegal

14- Léonard She Okitundu Lundula, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Democratic Republic of Congo

15- Mamadi Touré, former Foreign Minister of Guinea.

16- Rafael Tuju, former Foreign Minister of Kenya.

Here follows the list of the new signatories of the "Tangier Appeal":

17- Lesego Makgothi, former Foreign Minister Affairs of the Kingdom of Lesotho.

18- Lamine Kaba Badjo, former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Gambia.

19- Patrick Rajoelina, former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Madagascar.

Thus, Bourita met with the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, the Speaker of Parliament, Mohamed Al-Halbousi, the President of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary and President of the Federal Court of Cassation, Faiq Zaidan, and the Iraqi National Security Advisor, Qassem Al-Araji.

During these talks, the Iraqi officials expressed their satisfaction at the opening of the Moroccan embassy in Baghdad, which will give a new impetus to the historical and human relations between the two countries.

The Iraqi officials considered this step as a strong sign of the interest that His Majesty King Mohammed VI attaches to supporting Iraq and of the Sovereign's willingness to develop Morocco-Iraqi relations.

These talks were also an opportunity to commend the role played by the Kingdom of Morocco under the leadership of His Majesty the King at the Arab and Islamic levels, especially with regard to the defense of the Holy City of Al-Quds, given that the Sovereign chairs the Al-Quds Committee.

For his part, Bourita affirmed Morocco’s readiness, in accordance with the guidelines of His Majesty the King, to provide all kinds of support to brotherly Iraq and strengthen cooperation with this country, and the determination of the Kingdom to develop the channels of bilateral cooperation.

The minister also reaffirmed Morocco's support for Iraq's sovereignty, security and stability, praising all efforts made by the Iraqi authorities to fight terrorism.

Earlier in the day, Bourita held talks with his Iraqi peer Fouad Hussein, focusing on regional issues, as well as on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields.

"The meeting was an opportunity to discuss many issues of common interest and emphasize the need to establish the necessary mechanisms for the establishment of immediate and future relations between the two countries, as well as the importance of trade and economic cooperation, among others," said Hussein at a joint press conference after his talks with Bourita.

He highlighted the leading role played by the Kingdom of Morocco on the political and economic scenes, in Africa in this case, noting the importance of building, on solid foundations, relations between the two countries.

Iraq's top diplomat said the meeting also focused on the creation of a Businessmen Forum of the two countries in order to establish trade and economic relations not only at the level of the two governments, but also between businessmen and private sector.

In this regard, he stressed the need to review the old agreements so that they are compatible with the political and economic situation of the two countries. 

In addition, the Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the talks focused on joint cooperation between the two countries at the Arab, Islamic and international levels, and the need to continue consultations on political issues of interest to both parties, highlighting the clear political coordination between Morocco and Iraq.

For his part, Bourita said that his visit to Iraq is a strong signal reflecting the depth of relations between the two countries as it coincides with the 65th anniversary of the opening of the Iraqi embassy in Morocco.

He added that this visit reflects the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to strengthen Moroccan-Iraqi bilateral relations in all areas and confirms that Morocco has always supported and will continue to support the choices of the Iraqi people and its national institutions, while emphasizing the respect of the sovereignty, unity and stability of Iraq and the support of the Kingdom to all measures taken by the Iraqi authorities in this regard.

In this context, Bourita affirmed Morocco's support for Iraq's national unity and sovereignty, adding that His Majesty the King follows with optimism the path taken by the country to strengthen its institutions and its role in its regional and Arab-Islamic environment. 

He stressed, moreover, that trade and economic relations between the two countries should further develop, like the strong political and humanitarian relations deeply rooted, stressing the need to remove all obstacles to encourage economic actors to cooperate more.

In addition, Bourita said that the talks with his Iraqi counterpart have focused on regional issues, the Palestinian one in this case, highlighting the convergence of views between the two countries in favor of a comprehensive, lasting and final solution to the Palestinian question on the basis of a two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the basis of the 1967 borders with East Al-Quds as its capital.

Bourita stressed that His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, stresses the need to preserve the legal, historical and cultural status of the Holy City.

The two memoranda were signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita and the Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Fouad Hussein, following their talks.

Through the Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a political consultation mechanism, the two sides seek to hold regular discussions and consultations at the ministerial level, as well as at the level of senior officials, to discuss all aspects of their bilateral relations and exchange views on regional issues of common interest.

It also aims at cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and security fields, in addition to the related consultations that take place in the framework of the activities of the United Nations and other international organizations.

As for the memorandum of understanding in the field of diplomatic training, it aims to establish and strengthen cooperation in the fields of diplomatic training, both academic and practical, for the benefit of officials of both countries, as well as to establish a framework for fruitful cooperation in the areas of information exchange, research activities, training programs, as well as documents, studies and experiences.

Morocco and Iraq are linked by more than forty agreements regulating cooperation between the two countries in various fields and sectors.

"I reiterate Iraq's constant position on the Moroccan Sahara issue and its support for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco," Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein said at a joint press conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, held after their talks in Baghdad.

He added that Iraq stands with Morocco on the issue of its national territorial integrity.

Similarly, Hussein affirmed the support of Iraq to the United Nations' efforts to achieve a final solution to this conflict, noting that his country backs the UN resolutions on this issue.

Iraq's top diplomat also stressed the importance of using peaceful means through negotiations to resolve this dispute, by preserving Morocco’s territorial integrity and ensuring security and stability in the Maghreb region.

The two countries had issued a joint statement during the official visit of the Iraqi Foreign Minister to Morocco on May 13, 2022, in which Iraq had affirmed its "support for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom and the efforts of the UN and its central role in achieving a political solution."

For its part, Morocco has spared no effort during the various stages of the political process in Iraq to support and assist the Iraqi people in their efforts to establish democratic institutions representative of all its components and to contribute to the reconstruction of a unified and democratic Iraq, which is open to its Arab environment.

In a statement to the press on this occasion, the Iraqi Foreign Minister welcomed the opening of the Moroccan embassy in Baghdad, noting that this is an important mechanism to consolidate relations between the two brotherly countries and a proof that these relations have reached a very advanced level.

"On this basis, we will build economic, commercial, cultural, security relations and in various fields, as well as joint action on the Arab, Islamic and international levels," he added.

The opening of the embassy is very important for the development of friendly ties between the two countries and between the Moroccan and Iraqi diplomacy, Hussein said, noting that the two countries have inaugurated a new era of relations.

"For Iraq, relations with Morocco are important and historic," he said, expressing his determination to work for the building of these relations on solid foundations.

For his part, Bourita said that the opening of the Moroccan embassy in Iraq is part of the strengthening of solid and deep-rooted relations between the two countries.

"We are witnessing today a new era of Moroccan-Iraqi relations, on the same solid foundations already in place, but with visions in line with the reality of the two countries and the region," said Bourita.

The embassy will play a key role as a mechanism for the development of bilateral relations, he added, noting that it has been agreed to open consulates in regions of Morocco and Iraq in order to strengthen cooperation between the two countries and the two peoples.

Moroccan skills and success stories continue to shine in European countries, especially in Belgium, stressed the participants in this conference organized at the initiative of the Foundation Trophies Moroccans of the World (FTMM), noting that this community can become a real lever for boosting investment in its homeland.

In this sense, Moroccan ambassador to Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Mohamed Ameur, said that this issue is of particular importance, especially in the context of the Royal High Directions, recalling the speech made by HM King Mohammed VI on the occasion of the 69th anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People, which calls for supporting the initiatives of Moroccans of the world, through an effective institutional framework.

The diplomat also highlighted, during this meeting marked by the participation of many Moroccan economic actors in Belgium, the attractiveness of the Kingdom, which continues to attract both the Moroccan diaspora and foreign investors through the bold reforms of HM the King.

The current framework of Moroccan-Belgian economic and political relations is more than ever conducive to investment and trade, said the ambassador, stressing the role of the Moroccan diaspora in raising economic cooperation to the levels of socio-cultural links between the two countries.