Morocco’s Upper House Speaker Holds Several Meetings in Tanzania with Speakers of Parliaments

Arusha (Tanzania) – Morocco’s Speaker of the House of Councillors Mohamed Ould Errachid held a series of bilateral meetings on Monday in Arusha, Tanzania, with several countries’ speakers of parliaments, on the sidelines of the 153rd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

These meetings, attended by Morocco’s Ambassador to Tanzania Zakaria El Goumiri, were an opportunity to explore ways to bolster parliamentary cooperation and exchange experiences and expertise between legislative bodies, as well as to develop bilateral relations and expand areas of cooperation.

In this context, Ould Errachid met with Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania Mussa Azzan Zungu to discuss prospects for developing relations between the two institutions and strengthening bilateral consultation and coordination, with a view to giving new impetus to parliamentary cooperation and supporting the evolution of ties between the two countries.

In this regard, he emphasized that His Majesty King Mohammed VI holds special regard for strengthening cooperation among African countries, in accordance with a vision fueled by active solidarity, South-South cooperation, and building balanced and fruitful partnerships, noting that this vision is taking shape in the Royal Initiative to facilitate Sahel countries’ access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Atlantic African States Process (AASP), and the African-Atlantic Gas Pipeline project.

At the heart of this dynamic, the Moroccan Sahara is playing an increasingly important role in reinforcing connectivity between the Kingdom and its African roots, he added, noting that this region has witnessed strong development momentum in recent years, thanks to significant investments in human capital, infrastructure, ports, transportation networks, and renewable energy, in addition to investment incentives.

For his part, the Speaker of the Tanzanian National Assembly highlighted Morocco’s role in supporting African liberation movements and the struggle of many of their leading figures for independence and liberation from colonialism and the apartheid regime, noting that these historical ties are an important asset for bolstering relations and strengthening cooperation and solidarity among African countries.

Ould Errachid also met with Speaker of the Senate of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbaeva, where he affirmed that Morocco banks on promoting its ties with the Republic of Uzbekistan, highlighting the historical and cultural ties and shared values uniting the two countries, as well as their joint aspiration to establish open and balanced partnerships that serve their mutual interests.

In turn, the Speaker of the Uzbek Senate reaffirmed her country’s interest in deepening relations with Morocco in various fields, noting that the current level of cooperation does not reflect the potential available to both countries, particularly in the commercial, economic, social, and cultural sectors, and calling for a memorandum of cooperation between the two legislative bodies for greater coordination and joint action.

During a meeting with Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan Sahiba Gafarova, Ould Errachid praised quality ties between the two countries, particularly at the parliamentary level, and expressed the Kingdom’s willingness to elevate these relations and to strengthen cooperation, especially in the economic and parliamentary spheres.

For her part, Gafarova highlighted the strength of relations between Morocco and Azerbaijan, noting that they transcend official frameworks and agreements to be based on strong ties between the two countries, their institutions, and their cultures, as well as on shared values.

The 153rd IPU General Assembly, which began on Monday and will continue through October 9, is held under the theme “Enhancing good governance and empowering communities through inclusivity, trust, and opportunities for all,” with the participation of representatives from parliaments worldwide.