Washington, DC (March 28, 2013) — HM King Mohammed VI, on the last leg of his African tour, expanded Morocco’s relationship with Gabon. He presided over the signing of six cooperation agreements with Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who reaffirmed Gabon’s support for Morocco’s compromise initiative for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty for Western Sahara.

Building on the King’s successful efforts to expand and deepen ties in Africa, the Gabon accords follow similar agreements with Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire during the tour. At the presidential palace in Libreville, the two heads of state chaired the signing of agreements for cooperation in a number of different areas, including security, healthcare, the environment and information technology.

“There is no doubt in my mind that my visit to Gabon, coupled with the decisions we shall make and the actions we shall agree on, will be another milestone in the broad, meaningful, promising relationship between our two nations,” said King Mohammed VI. He added that the visit will “continue to deepen and expand the scope of our solidarity-based and mutually beneficial partnership. By continuing to rely on our own assets, we will fulfill the legitimate aspirations of our peoples, who share a deep commitment to inter- African cooperation.”

“Today, Morocco can rightfully boast to be giving to the world the image of an innovating and modern Kingdom where the will of the people is respected,” said President Bongo. He emphasized Morocco’s and Gabon’s “historic and exemplary” strategic partnership. And he reiterated “Gabon’s unwavering support to the Moroccan initiative to give the Sahara region a large autonomy within the Kingdom of Morocco’s territorial integrity and national union.”

Earlier in his African tour, on official visits to Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire, King Mohammed VI underscored Morocco’s commitment to African solidarity to meet security and economic challenges facing the region, in particular concerns about al-Qaeda-linked extremists. He received strong support in both countries for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara and presided over the signing of accords on a host of economic and development initiatives.

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