![The King of Morocco addresses the African Union for first time in 34 years [Andalou].](/get/maximage/20170201_1485937405-157766.jpg?1635250003)
The King of Morocco addresses the African Union for first time in 34 years [Andalou].
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia: Moroccan King Mohammed VI delivered a speech Tuesday to an assembly of the African Union (AU) heads of state and government for the first time in 34 years.
“It is a fine day when you come back home after many years of absence,” he said in his address at the closing session of the two-day AU summit.
“Africa is indispensable for Morocco and Morocco is important for Africa,” he said. “We can add impetus to the African [development] agenda.”
Morocco was readmitted into the African Union (AU) on Monday.
Morocco left the then Organization of African Unity -- the predecessor of the African Union -- in 1984 when the union recognized Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in West Sahara – a region Morocco still claims as part of its territory.
On Monday, Chadian Foreign Minister, Moussa Faki Mahamat was elected to replace Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma who stepped down after four years at the head of the AU Commission.
