African parliamentarians welcome Morocco's decision to return to AU

The participating African parliamentarians in the 69th Session of the Executive Committee of the African Parliamentary Union (APU) welcomed Morocco's decision to return to the African Union (AU), asserting that the Moroccan kingdom has restored its normal location inside the African family.

Ghanaian member of parliament Alhaji Ibrahim Abu Bakri welcomed the decision and highlighted the important role played by Rabat in Africa especially in the field of economic development. 

Egyptian First Deputy Patliament Speaker El Sayyed El Sherif also underlined the importance of Morocco as a key African country. He said Cairo strongly welcomes Morocco's decision, noting that it would greatly contribute to the joint African action. 

In Senegal, Moroccan King Mohammed VI offered an olive branch to African leaders Sunday in a speech in Senegal declaring his country wants to "take back its natural position in Africa".

Morocco is seeking to rejoin the African Union, 32 years after quitting the bloc in protest at its decision to accept Western Sahara as a member.

Meanwhile, the head of the Legal Committee at the Togolese National Assembly and head of his country's delegation to the 69th Session of the Executive Committee of the APU welcomed Morocco's decision to return to the union and said Rabat deserved to be present at all African bodies. 

The 69th Session of the Executive Committee of APU kicked off here on November 5 and will run till November 9. More than 240 African parliamentarians representing 29 countries and speakers from 15 countries along with representatives of regional and international organizations are attending the event.

Source: MENA