Deputy-Speaker of the House Takes Part in Opening Ceremony of Second Ordinary Session of National Assembly of Niger

Deputy-Speaker of the House of Representatives Mohammed Touimi Benjelloun took part in the opening ceremony of the second ordinary session of the National Assembly of Niger, which took place in Niamey on Monday, September 27.

In his statement on the occasion, Mr. Touimi Benjelloun congratulated the Speaker of the National Assembly of Niger Seïni Oumarou and all the representatives on gaining the trust of the people of Niger. In the same respect, he noted that the opening of the legislative session represents a new phase of “consolidating democratic achievements in Niger and building the African democratic edifice, which would ensure a better future for the next generations.”

The Deputy-Speaker of the House highlighted that the Kingdom of Morocco closely follows the democratic development and transition in Niger, which started in 1991 by the organization of the Sovereign National Conference that enabled a smooth and pacific democratic transition and established a multiparty system. The conference also resulted in the organization of free and transparent elections, the implementation of the constitutional safeguards for democratic freedoms and rights, the emergence of a strong and diversified civil society, and efforts to liberalize media.

The Deputy-Speaker of the House lauded the course of the legislative elections that took place in Niger in 2020, affirming that Niger proved its ability to organize completely transparent elections, “which is a role model at the regional and continental levels.”

On another note, he underlined the strength of the Morocco-Niger ties, which date back to the 11^th and 12^th centuries. In the same vein, he added that the two States concluded, in 1967, a friendship and cooperation treaty in Rabat. The Deputy-Speaker noted that the leaders of the two countries and their friendly peoples established the said friendship and cooperation ties on the basis of esteem, solidarity, history, and common values.

In the same respect, Mr. Benjelloun stressed that Niger occupies a central position in Morocco’s policy towards Africa, reflected by the strategic partnership linking the two brotherly countries, qualifying it as “a growing partnership that covers economic, educational, cultural, and social sectors.” He also affirmed the depth of the relations between the two countries and added, “His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, performed an official visit to Niger in 2004 within the framework of his tour around several African countries, which gave these relations an unprecedented momentum.”

The Deputy-Speaker of the House of Representatives stressed that the Moroccan people do not forget the decisive positions of the Republic of Niger in favor of the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco and its support for the accession of Morocco to the Economic Community of West African States.

At the parliamentary level, Mr. Benjelloun commended the distinguished partnership between the two legislative institutions. On that point, he recalled the conclusion of a cooperation agreement by the two parties. The agreement stipulates the engagement of the two institutions to work on strengthening ties between the two countries in various fields and intensifying the exchange of experiences and expertise between them. It also sets forth the contribution of the House of Representatives to developing and modernizing the action of the National Assembly of Niger and the commitment to joint coordination in regional and international fora.