فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
The Policies Center for the New South released a research report (RP-09/25) on the Atlantic Initiative announced by His Majesty King Mohammed VI on November 6, 2023. Authored by Fadwa Amari and Reda El Yaacoubi, the report emphasizes that this initiative is not merely an infrastructure project but a strategic vision crafted by His Majesty to reshape economic, diplomatic, and security balances in the region.
Since its launch, the initiative has carried a clear royal imprint. By granting landlocked Sahel countries such as Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad access to the Atlantic Ocean through Moroccan networks, King Mohammed VI aimed to address two intertwined challenges: breaking the isolation of the Sahel and enhancing its economic integration. The report highlights that this conviction aligns with a consistent royal approach: economic development is the most effective way to confront security threats.
The choice of the Atlantic port of Dakhla, currently under construction, was not merely a technical decision but a political and diplomatic message. It reflects a determination to make the Sahara a hub for regional integration and to consolidate Morocco’s sovereignty by integrating this infrastructure into African dynamics. Several countries, including Burkina Faso and Chad, have reinforced this policy by opening consulates in Dakhla.
The report confirms that the initiative fits into Morocco’s ongoing diplomatic continuity under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI since the country’s return to the African Union in 2017. After abandoning efforts to join ECOWAS, His Majesty opted for a strategy based on building sustainable alliances through structured projects that position Morocco as a key player in Africa.
The royal imprint is also strongly evident in the security dimension. With expanding trade exchanges and emerging new logistical corridors, the threat of extremist groups remains significant. Therefore, His Majesty has made military cooperation and information exchange with neighboring countries a cornerstone of the initiative, with Mauritania emerging as a pivotal link between Morocco and the Sahel, combining economic and security roles.
In conclusion, the report highlights that the Atlantic Initiative reflects the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI as the architect of a new African geography, placing Morocco at the heart of Atlantic-coastal dynamics and offering African countries a shared horizon for development. It is more than a project—it is a royal strategy based on sovereignty, integration, and stability.
