Conclusion of the Conference of Chairpersons of Foreign Affairs Committees in African Parliaments on “African Cooperation in Light of the Present Challenges”

The House of Representatives witnessed on Friday, July 7, 2023, the conclusion of the Conference of Chairpersons of Foreign Affairs Committees in African Parliaments on “African Cooperation in Light of the Present Challenges.” The Conference, organized by the House of Representatives, featured the participation of the Chairpersons of Foreign Affairs Committees in African Parliaments, parliamentarians, experts, and researchers.

The Conference culminated in adopting the "Rabat Declaration," which underscored the unity and complementarity of the African Continent, the commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of African States, and the promotion of democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and good governance.

The Chairpersons of Foreign Affairs Committees in African Parliaments agreed on the importance of African parliamentary cooperation in achieving sustainable development and addressing the challenges the world currently faces, particularly food security and the threats that affect peace and security. They also stressed the imperative of establishing a joint African agricultural and food strategy to ensure the food sovereignty of the Continent.

The participants also proposed establishing an African Forum of Foreign Affairs and Defense Committees in Rabat, which will be held annually to deliberate on the common concerns to achieve sustainable development for our African Continent. The permanent General Secretariat will be conferred to the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Morocco as representative of the North African Caucus, ahead of the designation of four representatives of the Central, West, East, and South African Caucuses as Vice-Secretaries General of this Forum.

During the concluding sitting of the Conference, the Chairpersons of Foreign Affairs Committees in African Parliaments expressed their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God glorify him, commending the keenness of His Majesty to support joint African action and contribute continuously to the unification of African countries to address the various challenges and meet the aspirations of African peoples.