Nigeria and Morocco have expressed their resolve to strengthen their cooperation with the aim of fighting radicalisation in Africa and beyond.
The resolve followed the concern expressed by President Muhammadu Buhari and King Mohammed VI of Morocco about violent extremism, terrorism and the persistence of security threats in Africa.
The two leaders expressed their decision during the visit of President Buhari to Morocco at the instance of King Mohammed VI.
Speaking against the backdrop of the muslims’ holy month of Ramadan, the two leaders underscored their commitment to moderation, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, as taught by Islam.
During the visit, the leaders reinforced the positive bilateral relationship between Morocco and Nigeria since King Mohammed visited Abuja in December 2016.
The leaders in a joint communiqué issued said they welcomed the significant progress made in various areas of cooperation, such as agriculture, fertilizer production, energy infrastructure and mining.
King Mohammed VI and Buhari noted with satisfaction the milestones achieved and stressed their commitment to the Regional Gas Pipeline, which will connect Nigeria’s gas resources, those of some West African countries and Morocco, thereby fostering integration and development of countries in the West African region.
The two leaders also noted the progress made in other areas of the bilateral cooperation, as evidenced by the agreement between OCP of Morocco and the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria to invest in Fertiliser Production; and the Memorandum of Understanding between OCP and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority on the establishment of a Basic Chemicals Platform, specifically to develop a significant Ammonia Production Plant.
On the basis of their exemplary cooperation, the two Heads of State agreed to develop a partnership in the field of agriculture, particularly through the signing of Cooperation Agreement on vocational training and technical supervision.
On regional and international issues of mutual interest and concern, King Mohammed VI and President Buhari confirmed their willingness to consult and coordinate the positions of the two countries in regional and international organisations, including the African Union.
Buhari congratulated King Mohammed VI on Morocco’s election to the Peace and Security Council of the African Union.
He also congratulated King Mohammed on the successful completion of his mandate as African Leader on Migration Issues, which culminated in the presentation of the African Agenda for Migration and the creation of the African Observatory on Migration.
He also paid tribute to the personal commitment of King Mohammed VI to sustainable development in Africa.
King Mohammed VI on his part congratulated Buhari for his leadership in the regional initiative against terrorism in the Lake Chad region and commended his efforts in the fight against corruption and his role as the African Union anti-corruption champion.
