By Aziz Allilou
Rabat - Having received an invitation from the President of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, King Mohamed VI of Morocco will pay an official visit to the Republic of Mali on February 12, for three days, according to the Malian president’s office.
This visit emphasizes Morocco’s ongoing efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Mali, and to contribute positively to a resolution of the current Malian crisis, marked by internal conflicts between the government of Mali and the National Movement for Liberation of “AZAWAD” (MNLA).
The genesis of the crisis was an action by the MNLA to take over northern Mali. The MNLA spearheaded the rebellion against the Malian government before it was expelled from the biggest cities in Azawad by al-Qaeda and its allies, including Ansar al-Din and the Movement for Tawhid and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO).
Morocco is playing a significant role in the political crisis in Mali by contributing to relieving the suffering of a population that has become the victim of terrorist attacks, which have been flatly denounced by both Morocco and the international community.
King Mohamed VI received on January 31st, Bilal AG Cherif, Secretary General of the National Movement for the Liberation of “Azawad,” at the Royal palace in Marrakesh, where he urged the latter to remain open to the political dialogue in Mali.
The Malian president had previously received Salaheddine Mezouar, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, on November 5, 2013, in Mali.
Mr. Keïta paid tribute to the efforts undertaken by Morocco to support the democratic process in Mali, welcoming the humanitarian aid granted by Morocco, which reflects the solidarity expressed by the Kingdom toward the Malian people for sustainable development and stability of the country.
Edited by Elisabeth Myers