Tanzania Supports Morocco’s Return to AU

Morocco World News
January 26, 2017 , 1:00 pm

Addis Ababa- On Thursday Tanzania reiterated its support for the return of Morocco to the African Union (AU).

“Tanzania has clearly expressed its support” for the return of Morocco to the pan-African organization, Tanzanian Prime Minister John Pombe told reporters in Addis Ababa on the sidelines of the 30th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council.

“Morocco will only regain its natural place within the African family,” he added.

Tanzania’s public support for Moroccan reentry to the AU echoes recent announcements by Nigeria, Madagascar, Sudan, and other members of the Union.

King Mohammed VI visited Tanzania in October, where he signed 21 bilateral agreements with the Tanzanian president, intended to encourage greater economic relations between the two countries. The King’s visit was one stop in an extensive tour of West and Central Africa intended to strengthen the country’s economic and diplomatic ties in the region.

Earlier this month, Algerian Prime Minister confirmed that the confirmed support of 28 countries in the AU “ensures [Morocco’s] integration into the African Union.”

Morocco, a founding member of the Organization for African Unity (the predecessor to the AU), withdrew its membership in protest of the admission of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic.