On December 23 in Marrakech, four Sahel states responded favorably to the Moroccan proposal to facilitate their access to the Atlantic Ocean. The future Sahel-Atlantic connection promises to change many things. 

In Marrakech on December 23, 2023, Moroccan diplomacy invited the foreign ministers of these four states, sanctioning this first meeting with the adoption of a roadmap. All expressed on this occasion their support for the royal initiative to facilitate access to the Atlantic.

An outstretched hand that "offers great opportunities for the economic transformation of the entire region," we can read in the final press release. In addition to its inclusion in the framework of the active solidarity measures of King Mohammed VI towards brother African countries in general, and the Sahel in particular," notes the monthly Jeune Afrique in a focus on this megaproject.

On the economic level, the future Sahel-Atlantic connection is expected to reduce the cost of maritime transport. A decisive factor for improving the economic competitiveness of the countries in the region.

"Access to international markets is also expected to stimulate growth in the four neighbouring countries. As is investment in infrastructure, and its positive impact on the job market in these countries," it reads.

From a geostrategic point of view, the lecturer-researcher in political geography and geostrategy, Moussa El Malki, points out the deep links between Morocco and African countries, particularly the Sahel countries. "These relations span several centuries and do not result from the current situation, or from a particular phase."

The academic also discusses the strengthening of relations between Morocco and the Sahel states immediately after the accession to power of King Mohammed VI, to take economic, security, political and military dimensions.

"We are therefore faced with a long-term global vision of a prosperous continent, enjoying stability and common development, which presents a strategic alternative, beyond the military and security approach, or certain destabilizing regional interventions which have proven unsuccessful and limited for many decades, as evidenced by the profound imbalances experienced by the Sahel countries at the political, economic, security and environmental levels," insists the specialist, quoted by Jeune Afrique.

What about the task force to be created in each country under the final communiqué of the ministerial meeting? In terms of priorities, the teacher-researcher plans to reflect on "the rehabilitation of infrastructure in the Sahel countries, the carrying out of different types of technical, economic and topographical studies to determine the costs and the nature of the financial and human resources to be mobilized."

In this vein, the establishment of a quality, interconnected, well-secured road network, meeting the specific requirements of international transport, or linking rail networks, is of strategic importance.

Another major challenge is facilitating the movement of goods and people, particularly mining resources and strategic goods for export or import, but also improving automation and upgrading the electricity network.

Nabil Ouzzane