Speaker of House of Representatives Meets Chairperson of National Council of Provinces (Senate) in South Africa

Speaker of House of Representatives Habib El Malki received, Monday, March 2^nd at the House’s headquarters, Chairperson of National Council of Provinces (Senate) in South Africa Nkosiyakhe Amos Masondo, currently taking part in the joint statutory meeting of Standing Committees on Trade, Customs, and Immigration Matters, and on Transport, Industry, Communications, Energy, Science and Technology of the Pan-African Parliament at the headquarters of Moroccan Parliament on March 2-6^th.

At the beginning of the meeting, Speaker of the House of Representatives affirmed that Morocco and South Africa share a common history of fighting racial segregation (Apartheid). In this respect, he recalled the historical visit performed by Nelson Mandela to Morocco and his reception by the Late HM King Hassan II.

Mr. El Malki also noted that Morocco fully supported the battles of African countries against colonialism and is one of the countries that founded the Organization of African Unity, later named “African Union.” He also highlighted the presence of the African dimension in the Constitution of the Kingdom of Morocco, in its history, culture, and civilization. He said, “We, Moroccans, consider ourselves first and foremost Africans.”

Besides, the House’s Speaker stressed that Morocco fiercely defends the unity of Africa and is keen to promote cooperative African action. He also noted that Morocco is one of the first countries that signed the agreement on free-trade ZLECAF, adding that “Parliaments play a great role in implementing this agreement.”

Also, Mr. El Malki highlighted the importance of focusing on the future and overcoming artificial problems. In this context, he added that “Africa needs strong countries and active civil societies. It also needs a democratization that goes hand in hand with respecting human rights. Hence, Morocco is engaged in these reforms and does not meddle with other countries’ internal affairs.”

Speaker of the House of Representatives called for consolidating cooperation ties between Parliaments of both countries. He said, “we hope that parliamentary ties linking Morocco to South Africa remain exemplary, and we are ready to intensify efforts towards achieving this goal.”

For his part, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces in South Africa expressed his gratitude to Morocco for the support it gave to South African people in fighting racial segregation. He noted that the world community played an essential role in ending the apartheid.

Mr. Nkosiyakhe Amos Masondo also expressed his country’s keenness to consolidate democratic practices. He also stressed the importance of advancing economic and commercial exchanges between African countries and solidifying cooperation between them. In this respect, he said, “We share many principles, and we are sure that the problems that stand in the way of Africa’s development will end.”