Morocco has advocated for enhanced coordination and cooperation to address transnational security threats, particularly in the Sahel and Sahara regions. Ambassador Azzeddine Farhane, Morocco's permanent representative to the UN Office in Vienna, made the call during the 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi. He emphasized the need for a collective and sustainable African approach to tackle crime, terrorism, and separatist movements.
Farhane highlighted the importance of moving beyond mere political commitment to operational trust and cooperation. He stressed that sustainable security cannot be achieved solely through security approaches, but requires a comprehensive vision that prioritizes prevention, cooperation, and trust. The ambassador also underscored the need to adapt the CONNECT initiative to national and African contexts to ensure its effectiveness and longevity.
The CONNECT initiative, launched by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), aims to strengthen operational coordination and cooperation in West Africa and the Sahel to combat links between crime and terrorism. Farhane emphasized that the success of the initiative depends on translating political commitment into operational trust, cooperation, and concrete results on the ground. He also called for genuine partnerships based on priorities defined by African countries themselves.
The ambassador highlighted the growing connections between terrorist groups, separatist movements, and transnational organized crime networks. He advocated for a comprehensive and integrated approach to address these threats, including enhanced information sharing, expertise exchange, and capacity building. Farhane also stressed the need for durable institutional cooperation and permanent networks of trust among concerned services.
The high-level meeting in Abu Dhabi brought together ambassadors from several countries, including Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ghana, and Morocco, as well as representatives from the European Union, Japan, and the African Union. The meeting aimed to move the CONNECT initiative from political commitment to concrete operational measures and enhanced African coordination in the face of interconnected security threats.
Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, has made cooperation, solidarity, and African common action the foundation of its approach to transborder security challenges. The country has emphasized the importance of a human-centered approach, prioritizing prevention and cooperation to address security threats. Farhane's call for enhanced operational cooperation reflects Morocco's commitment to regional security and stability.
The Moroccan ambassador's statement reflects the country's proactive approach to addressing regional security challenges. By advocating for stronger operational cooperation and a comprehensive approach to combat crime, terrorism, and separatist movements, Morocco aims to contribute to a more stable and secure region. The CONNECT initiative and similar efforts will be crucial in achieving this goal.
Key points
- Morocco calls for enhanced operational cooperation to combat crime, terrorism, and separatist movements in the Sahel and Sahara regions.
- The country's ambassador to the UN Office in Vienna, Azzeddine Farhane, made the call during the 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi.
- Morocco emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach, prioritizing prevention, cooperation, and trust to address transnational security threats.
