Dakhla, Morocco- Speaking in the Moroccan city of Dakhla in the so-called Western Sahara on Saturday, Former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin emphasized the projection of Morocco’s political and economic power in West Africa, highlighting the central role that the kingdom can play with France in the promotion of peace and prosperity in the African continent.
In an impassioned plea for strengthening the dialogue between the Maghreb, Africa, and Europe, the former head of the French Executive first reviewed the crises plaguing the Mediterranean region. In this regard, he praised the role played by Morocco in the pacification of Libya by hosting and supporting political talks between rival Libyan factions.
Dominique de Villepin said that he opposes in the strongest terms any military intervention in Libya, adding that any military intervention could pave the way for jihadists to find a safe haven in Libya.
This is not the first time the former French Prime Minister has voiced his opposition to the use of military intervention as means to pacify countries that are plagued by armed conflicts. His speech in Dakhla recalls his memorable speech in early 2003 before the United Nations Security Council where he expressed France’s fierce opposition to the US and UK war against Iraq.
Warning against the collateral victims of anti-terrorist wars, especially among defenseless civilians, Dominique de Villepin noted that an effective fight against the terrorist threat requires the establishment of "growth strategies."
“It is wrong to reduce this struggle to its strict security dimension, since ‘for a terrorist killed, there will always be two, or more, to replace it,’” he said, drawing attention to the war of images that ultimately serves only the "glorification" of terrorist in the eyes of ordinary citizens, including in Europe, where the recruitment of participants for jihad is reaching alarming proportions, he noted.
Regarding the Maghreb and Africa, Dominique de Villepin shed light on Moroccan dynamism politically, economically, and socially. In calling for the construction of what he called a "common house", the former French Prime Minister made clear it that “this house is in need of an architect,” and that Morocco and France certainly have a central role to play.
Morocco’s stability, peace, sustained economic development, social policy, and the fact that it puts the human element at the heart of its strategy, give it the capacity and legitimacy to shine in Africa, said Dominique de Villepin, while praising the "tireless efforts of His Majesty King Mohammed VI" to make things move on the continent.
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