Morocco Elected to Chair Forum of Chairpersons of Foreign Affairs Committees of African Parliaments

Morocco was elected, on Thursday in Rabat, in the person of Salma Benaziz, Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Islamic Affairs, Migration, and Moroccan Expatriates Committee of the House of Representatives, to chair the Forum of Chairpersons of Foreign Affairs Committees of African Parliaments.

Benaziz was elected following the Forum’s second edition, organized by the House of Representatives under the theme «Towards Establishing Lasting Foundations for Stability and Security in Africa». The Forum’s closing session was also marked by the election of its vice-chairpersons, drawn from the continent’s four regions (West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa and South Africa), and the approval of the Forum’s draft statutes.

The draft statute aims to strengthen African parliamentary cooperation, contribute to the consolidation of peace and security in Africa, promote the role of parliaments in international and regional issues, reinforce parliamentary diplomacy as a tool for international cooperation, and encourage economic integration and development cooperation between African countries.

Benaziz stressed that Morocco’s election reflects the Kingdom’s status as a founding member of the Forum, and is a tribute to and recognition by all participants of the pioneering role played by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in all Africa-related issues aimed at ensuring the growth, prosperity and security of the continent and its peoples within a framework of integrated development.

She recalled that the work of the second edition of the Forum of Chairpersons of Foreign Affairs Committees of African Parliaments focused on issues linked to the continent’s stability and security, and on the creation of a forum as a platform for joint and constructive action to exchange expertise at the African level.