The First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Holds Talks with Several Speakers and Deputy Speakers of African Parliaments on the Sidelines of the Regional Meeting Africa-Middle East Parliamentary Day in Marrakech

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Mohamed Sabbari, held on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, in Marrakech, talks with several African Speakers and Deputy Speakers of Parliaments, on the sidelines of the Regional Meeting for Africa and the Middle East, hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco from 1 to 3 November 2022, in cooperation with the Open Government Partnership. The talks also featured the presence of members of the Bureau of the House of Representatives, presidents of parliamentary groups, and chairs of parliamentary committees.

Mr. Sabbari kicked off these talks with the reception of the Speaker of the National Assembly of Senegal, Mr. Amadou Mame Diop. In this meeting, the two parties discussed the parliamentary experience in both countries and stressed the importance of exchanging experiences and expertise between the two legislative institutions.

During this meeting, which also featured the presence of the Senegalese Ambassador to Rabat, H.E. Fatoumata Dial, the two sides shed light on several issues of common interest, namely the issue of women's representation and the role of civil society and youth in the development process.

On this occasion, Mr. Sabbari and the Speaker of the National Assembly of Senegal commended the good relations between the two friendly countries and the two brotherly peoples, noting that this meeting offers the opportunity to foster bilateral and parliamentary cooperation.

For his part, the Speaker of the National Assembly highlighted the convergence of views and positions between Senegal and Morocco on many continental and international issues, urging the activation of the Parliamentary Friendship Group between the two countries.

In the same context, Mr. Sabbari also received Mr. Abas Chernor Bundu, the Speaker of the Parliament of Sierra Leone. In their meeting, Mr. Sabbari noted that the Constitution of the Kingdom of Morocco has adopted the principle of the separation of Powers since the country’s independence, adding that this meeting proves the openness of the House of Representatives to civil society. He further mentioned that women are strongly present in the composition of the Moroccan House of Representatives, as they hold 25% of the total seats on the House, stressing that the Moroccan Constitution has been keen to take into account the presence of women in all representative councils and bodies.

In the same vein, Mr. Mohamed Sabbari voiced the readiness of the House of Representatives to strengthen cooperation with the Parliament of Sierra Leone, by activating the friendship group; capitalizing on the experience of the two countries, and exchanging visits between parliamentary delegations.

At the end of the meeting, Mohamed Sabbari extended an invitation to Abas Chernor Bundu to visit Morocco to promote parliamentary cooperation.

For his part, Mr. Abas Chernor Bundu gave an overview of the Sierra Leone Parliament, marking the qualitative leap made by the representation of women in his country.

On this occasion, the Speaker of the Parliament of Sierra Leone stressed the importance of opening an embassy of Morocco in Freetown to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, commending the progress registered by Morocco in several domains.

As for the third meeting, Mr. Mohamed Sabbari held talks with Ms. Aisha Adams Annie, the Deputy-Speaker of the National Assembly of Malawi. The two sides discussed several issues of common concern, most importantly the representation of women in elected institutions. In this regard, Mr. Mohamed Sabbari gave an overview of the Kingdom's experience in this field, shedding light on the development of women's representation in the legislative institution. He also stressed the importance of exchanging experiences and expertise between the two institutions.

For her part, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Malawi emphasized the need to hold joint meetings to strengthen cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries.

The fourth meeting gathered Mr. Sabbari and Mr. Américo Antonio Cuonoca, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Angola. In this respect, Mr. Mohamed Sabbari stated that Morocco gives great importance to cooperation with African parliaments, especially with the Parliament of Angola. On this score, Mohamed Sabbari called for the exchange of experiences and expertise between the two parliamentary institutions, adding that Morocco is ready to share its parliamentary experience with Angola.

For his part, the Angolan Official stated that the participation in the Regional Meeting for Africa and the Middle East in Marrakech reflects the level of cooperation existing between Angola and Morocco, expressing his wish to advance bilateral cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of technology. In the same vein, Mr. Américo Antonio Cuonoca gave an overview of the work of the organs within the National Assembly and highlighted the representation of women, who hold 83 out of 222 seats (37.7%) in the Assembly. It should be noted that the meeting also featured the presence of H.E. Baltazar Diopo Lustovao, Angola's Ambassador to Rabat.

Mr. Sabbari also held talks with Mr. Thomas Carama, the Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Ivorian National Assembly. In this regard, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that this meeting offers the opportunity to rebuild cooperation ties between the legislative institutions of the two countries, stressing the need to activate the parliamentary friendship group and exchange experiences and visits to benefit from the experiences of the two sides. He added that the House of Representatives is ready to cooperate, exchange experiences, and discuss all issues of common concern.

On this occasion, Sabbari reiterated Morocco's respect for States’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing the principle of non-interference in their internal affairs.

For his part, Mr. Thomas Camara said that the brotherly relations between the two countries date back to 1962, noting that there is a strong desire to develop bilateral relations and activate the parliamentary friendship groups between the two countries.