This memorandum of understanding, which was initialed by the President of the Lagouira commune, Abdel-Fattah Ahl El-Mekki, and the Mayor of Bignona, Bakary Diatta, aims to promote local economic development, encourage cultural, educational, and social exchange, and facilitate the implementation of joint projects in the priority areas that have been identified, in addition to contributing to achieving sustainable development goals.
The memorandum also provides for the exchange of best educational practices, the promotion of sustainable agriculture, the exchange of expertise in agricultural resource management, the strengthening of community health services, the promotion of local and solidarity-based tourism, in addition to supporting local initiatives in the field of entrepreneurship.
In a speech on the occasion, Mr. Ahl El-Mekki emphasized that territorial communes occupy a fundamental constitutional, organizational, and functional position, especially since they are considered a partner of the state in developing and implementing development and investment projects at the territorial level.
He considered that territorial communes, which represent the backbone of the decentralization system in Morocco and around which economic, social, and cultural development projects revolve, play a fundamental role in implementing infrastructure and strengthening basic services related to the daily life of citizens.
For his part, Mr. Diatta explained, in a statement to the Maghreb Arabe Presse (MAP) agency, that this memorandum of understanding aims to strengthen decentralized cooperation between the two communes in particular, and to consolidate the “ancient” relations that link Morocco and Senegal in general.
On this occasion as well, an amendment was signed regarding the partnership agreement between the communes of Lagouira and Goul Tabi-Fass-Colobane (Dakar region), signed in 2010. The amendment relates to the exchange of expertise and the organization of exhibitions and markets in order to facilitate the sale of products, in addition to organizing joint cultural events and establishing social and cultural centres.
For his part, the Moroccan Ambassador to Senegal, Hassan Naciri, considered that these territorial initiatives “carry special significance, as they reassure us in our daily work and our continuous efforts to bring our countries and peoples closer together, establish strong bonds, build bridges, and promote mutual understanding”.
Mr. Naciri pointed out in this regard “the existence of enormous potential for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two brotherly countries, Morocco and Senegal, and that central and local officials alike should take advantage of these opportunities, noting that the areas of cooperation include all sectors, especially social, economic, and spiritual, which allows a wide field for work to strengthen the ties between the two peoples and stimulate the development of our societies”.
From this standpoint, the Moroccan diplomat expressed his conviction that decentralization is one of the most important levers for achieving a real comprehensive transformation, capable of responding to contemporary challenges. He said that the Lagouira commune, for example, could become Senegal's gateway to the Maghreb region and Europe, while Senegalese communes could be a strategic gateway to West Africa.
He stressed “that we are all called upon to redouble our efforts and intensify our commitment in order to keep pace with the strong determination of our high leaderships”, confirming that “the Rabat-Dakar axis has been clearly identified as a model for African cooperation and integration, a model that we must make flourish through concrete initiatives and solid partnerships”.
A delegation from the Lagouira commune, accompanied by economic actors from the Aousserd province, is in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, within the framework of a visit focused on strengthening decentralized cooperation and exploring investment and bilateral partnership opportunities.
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