Since its historic return to the African Union in 2017, the Kingdom of Morocco has relentlessly consolidated its strategic influence within the continental body. Through extensive regional consultations across North Africa, the country has secured a series of high-level positions across various organs and structures of the organization. This growing representation underscores the Kingdom’s rising prominence in continental governance, while highlighting its unwavering commitment to the African Union’s core priorities—from institutional reforms and good governance to financial sustainability, economic integration, and addressing major development challenges.
Morocco’s strategic positioning has earned it nine key leadership roles, placing the Kingdom at the forefront of its subregion in terms of elected responsibilities. Among these appointments, Morocco will serve as vice-president of the ministerial committee overseeing African candidacies in the international system. Additionally, it will hold the vice-presidency of the contributions committee’s bureau, a critical body responsible for assessing member states’ financial contributions.
At the level of specialized technical committees—essential for shaping common policies—the Kingdom will participate in the justice and legal affairs committee, as well as the economic development, tourism, trade, industry, and mining resources committee. Morocco has also been entrusted with the vice-presidency of the bureau for the permanent representatives committee on institutional reforms and will chair the subcommittee dedicated to environmental matters. Its engagement extends further to the subcommittee focused on human rights, democracy, and governance.
“This robust representation also includes Morocco’s election as a member of the board of directors of the African Centre for Migration Studies and Research, enabling Moroccan experts to actively contribute to the institution’s work. This reflects the trust placed in King Mohammed VI’s leadership, whose vision on migration emphasizes humanitarian values, solidarity, and shared responsibility. With these nine strategic positions, Morocco is solidifying its dynamic influence and ongoing contributions to the organization’s operations.
It’s worth noting that Morocco officially reintegrated its institutional family on January 30, 2017, during the Addis Ababa summit, following a 33-year absence after withdrawing from the Organization of African Unity in 1984. This return marked a decisive break from a policy of abstention and paved the way for significant diplomatic achievements, particularly regarding territorial integrity. Moroccan diplomacy successfully shifted the management of the Sahara issue from a reactive stance to an initiative-driven approach, neutralizing opposing maneuvers within the Union’s own structures.
“This pragmatic approach provides Morocco with a direct platform to defend its fundamental interests. The bold diplomatic initiatives of recent years have fostered a seamless reintegration and accelerated the signing of bilateral agreements with numerous African states, ushering in a new era of economic cooperation and continental cohesion.