African Union: King Mohammed VI to Deliver Speech Before African leaders

PERSISMA, Rabat – Morocco’s King Mohammed VI will reportedly deliver a speech on Tuesday in front of the African leaders at the headquarters of the African Union (AU) in Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa.

Following Morocco’s re-admission to the AU as full-fledged member, Morocco will officially resume its seat in the pan-African organization, starting Tuesday.

In recognition of the country’s return, the Moroccan flag will be raised in front of the headquarters of the AU, which is currently hosting the AU’s 28th summit. Morocco has reunited with its African family 33 years after Morocco’s late King Hassan II decided to withdraw from the AU in 1984.

This decision followed the the pan-African organization’s public acceptance of the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) as a full-fledged member state. Supported by 39 member countries, Morocco managed to regain its seat in the AU.

Speaking to journalists earlier Monday afternoon, Senegalese President Macky Sall confirmed Morocco’s return, saying, “Morocco is now a full member of the African Union. There was a very long debate but 39 of our 54 states approved the return of Morocco, even if the Western Sahara question remains.”

“As we have said, if the family grows bigger, we can find solutions as a family,” he added.

Morocco’s return to the AU has caused a heated debate among opponents and proponents of Morocco’s bid to rejoin the AU.

Algeria and South Africa were at the forefront of member states who lobbied to prevent Morocco from reuniting with its African family. (Youssef Igrouane)