Driss El Kaissi, the new Chargé d'Affaires of Morocco to the Union of the Comoros, paid a visit to Al-Watwan, a prominent Comorian newspaper, on October 5. During the visit, El Kaissi emphasized his country's commitment to strengthening relations with the Comoros. He highlighted the unique friendship between the two nations, marked by Morocco's consistent support for the training of high-ranking Comorian officials. El Kaissi's visit is part of his efforts to familiarize himself with the country and its institutions.
El Kaissi has been in his position for two months and has been engaging in courtesy meetings to reaffirm Morocco's commitment to consolidating its relations with the Comoros. He described his current phase as one of "listening" and meeting with various stakeholders to better understand the country. The Chargé d'Affaires expressed his satisfaction with his new posting, citing the exceptional fraternal ties between Morocco and the Comoros, which have been in place for several decades. He noted that he feels "at home" in the Comoros.
El Kaissi recalled the historical ties between Morocco and the Comoros, dating back to the 1970s when King Mohammed V and King Hassan II showed affection for the Comorian community in Madagascar. He mentioned that many Comorians arrived in Morocco in the 1980s as part of a training program established through the friendship between Comorian President Ahmed Abdallah Abderemane and King Hassan II. Today, Morocco hosts the third-largest Comorian student community abroad, after France and Madagascar.
The Director General of Al-Watwan, Karimou Abdoulwahabi, welcomed El Kaissi's visit and expressed the newspaper's willingness to support initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation between Morocco and the Comoros. El Kaissi emphasized the cultural aspect of this cooperation, stating that it is essential to bring people together through culture. He requested the help of Al-Watwan's officials in creating an archive of the newspaper's coverage of Comoro-Moroccan relations for a potential photo exhibition.
As a career diplomat, El Kaissi has gained international experience in various postings, including Brussels, Budapest, Moscow, and Bangkok. According to his biography, he was appointed as the Second-in-Command of the Moroccan Embassy and Chargé d'Affaires ad interim to the European Union in Brussels in 2018. He is known for his expertise in international relations and his ability to navigate diverse cultural and geopolitical environments.
El Kaissi's arrival in the Comoros coincides with a period of growing cooperation between the two countries. The Moroccan government has been actively supporting the Comoros' development plans, including the validation of the Comoros Emergent Plan (PCE) in December 2019. Morocco has also announced a program to provide 3,000 training scholarships to Comorians over a decade, with 300 scholarships offered annually starting from 2020.
The strengthened ties between Morocco and the Comoros are expected to have a positive impact on the lives of Comorians. The training scholarships, in particular, will provide opportunities for Comorians to acquire new skills and knowledge. El Kaissi's visit to Al-Watwan has highlighted the importance of cultural exchange and cooperation between the two nations. As the Chargé d'Affaires continues to engage with various stakeholders, it is likely that the relationship between Morocco and the Comoros will continue to grow.
Key points
- Driss El Kaissi's visit to Al-Watwan aims to strengthen cooperation between Morocco and the Comoros.
- Morocco has announced a program to provide 3,000 training scholarships to Comorians over a decade.
- El Kaissi emphasizes the cultural aspect of cooperation between Morocco and the Comoros.
