- Foreign ministers underscore territorial integrity, non-interference and shared commitment to peace, development and African interests
AGADIR: Morocco and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and expanding cooperation on regional and international issues.
The commitment was reiterated during a meeting between Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and DRC Minister of Foreign Affairs Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner in Luanda on Saturday, held on the sidelines of the 26th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU).
Wagner highlighted the longstanding friendship between Morocco and the DRC, stressing that the two countries share common principles and values, including respect for territorial integrity, national unity, independence and sovereignty.
“I am delighted that the friendship between our two countries is built upon common, shared principles and values, and a firm commitment to territorial integrity, the unity of our two territories, independence, and the sovereignty of our countries,” she said.
The Congolese foreign minister expressed her government’s determination to further consolidate what she described as the “exemplary relations” that have linked Morocco and the DRC for decades.
She also welcomed the constructive nature of high-level exchanges between the two countries, noting that the discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing existing frameworks of cooperation.
The two ministers also exchanged views on a range of regional and international developments, reaffirming their shared commitment to promoting peace, African integration, sustainable development and greater stability across the continent.
Bourita, for his part, described Morocco-DRC relations as “strong, solid, and rooted in history,” emphasizing Morocco’s longstanding support for the DRC since its independence.
He reiterated Morocco’s “firm and unconditional support” for the DRC’s sovereignty and national unity, as well as for measures taken by Kinshasa to protect its sovereignty against external interference.
“Sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in the internal affairs of countries are the foundations of peace and stability in Africa,” Bourita said.
The Moroccan foreign minister also welcomed the DRC’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, describing Kinshasa’s presence on the Council as an opportunity to represent African priorities and advance the continent’s interests at the international level.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to advance preparations for the next session of the Morocco-DRC Joint Commission, which Bourita said would be held in Kinshasa.
The upcoming session is expected to provide a further platform for expanding bilateral cooperation and translating the two countries’ political commitment into concrete initiatives across areas of mutual interest.
BY: The Times Union
