Sahel Atlantic : A new economic chapter opens with the accession of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Chad to the Royal Initiative !

The Royal Initiative to promote access for Sahelian countries to the Atlantic Ocean has garnered positive resonance among nations engaged at the end of the year 2023. During the ministerial meeting in Marrakech over the past weekend, the Burkinabe Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, emphasized the transformative potential of this initiative for Sahelian economies and their global integration.

Stating that this initiative goes beyond solidarity to become a means of recognizing the rights and values of landlocked countries in the global economy, the minister praised the Kingdom of Morocco’s call to capitalize on the strengths of Sahelian countries. He underscored the need to turn continental status into an advantage and expressed Burkina Faso’s support for this vision. The minister highlighted that the Royal Initiative aligns perfectly with the ambition of Sahelian states to leverage their enormous potentials while minimizing the burden of landlocked challenges through an effective and growth-promoting infrastructure integration policy.

Acknowledging the significance of this initiative, the Burkinabe minister assured that Sahelian countries would work towards its adoption and the success of this ambitious project.

The Royal Initiative aims to open new economic perspectives for Sahelian countries by facilitating their access to the Atlantic Ocean. It was announced in the Royal Speech on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of the Green March, aligning with the constant efforts of the Kingdom of Morocco for a prosperous Africa. This innovative and integrated approach aims to strengthen regional integration, economic transformation, and improve living conditions in the Sahel-Saharan region.

Sadia Nyaoré