The Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Interior, Charki Draiss, arrived in Dakhla on the afternoon of Thursday, 19 February. The minister, who was accompanied by an important delegation from his department, went directly to the camp set up for the reception of participants in the proceedings of the Crans Montana International Forum, scheduled in Dakhla, under the High Patronage of His Majesty the King, from 12 to 14 March.

The minister and the members of his delegation realised the degree of progress of the camp's works and the facilities planned to ensure comfort for the participants in this great international event. The ministerial delegation also visited the Congress Palace, which will host the proceedings of this forum, which aims, through the choice of the city of Dakhla to host its proceedings and within the framework of respect for local culture, to contribute to the economic, political, and social development of the populations. The forum also aspires to contribute to the training and participation of local elites in the democratic governance of their region in order to achieve economic and social growth meeting the expectations of the inhabitants of this region.

In a statement published on its website, the organisation, which stressed the importance that the Dakhla session holds, indicated that all African officials and those from other countries of the world can only welcome this initiative, insisting on the fact that this event aims to make people discover the potential of a little-known region and to help in the development of its inhabitants. Due to the positive repercussions both in terms of economy and development that it will have in the region, which is a gateway open to sub-Saharan Africa, the Crans Montana Forum will contribute, without a doubt, to consolidating the security and stability of all the southern provinces. It will open new promising horizons to develop the spirit of cohabitation and strengthen the unity of the peoples of the continent. It is thus, indicates the statement, that the Atlantic Africa Club, which wants to strengthen regional development and integration, will be launched in Dakhla in parallel with the 30th Crans Montana Forum on 12 March.

The Club represents an exclusive and high-level international community, composed of decision-makers from the world of business, politics, and governments committed to Africa,” it is indicated. Its members “are committed to getting involved in supporting economic and social development, more particularly of the Atlantic facade of the African continent by providing it with the best opportunities for development and regional integration”. The Atlantic Africa Club will meet regularly, every year in Morocco, but also abroad, it is specified from Geneva. These meetings will take place in the form of exchange, information, and consultation sessions in order to bring together all stakeholders and raise awareness among potential interlocutors in the region.

Let us note that the theme chosen for the Dakhla meeting is part of the Moroccan dynamic in favour of South-South cooperation for active solidarity with regard to sub-Saharan Africa. The participants in the Dakhla Forum will exchange around important subjects such as “Strengthening Africa's economic development”, “Management of natural resources in Africa”, “Telecommunications and ICTs”, “New leaders of the future”, and finally “The African woman”. Enough to strengthen the image of this annual forum, which has become, over the years, an event marked in the agenda of business leaders and high-level officials.

The minister and his delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the camp housing the participants in the sports and solidarity event ''La Saharienne 2015''.

Charki Draiss subsequently flew, in the company of the Wali of the region, the Governor of the Aousserd province, and local officials of the various security services, to the Gargarate border point, where he chaired a meeting intended for the study of transit operations through this point. The minister's visit is part of the efforts aimed at ensuring the security of the Kingdom's borders and its commitment to the international strategy for the fight against terrorism. The visit of the minister, who was accompanied by a high-level central security commission as well as military figures, also aimed to counter infiltration attempts by extremist groups and elements.

Furthermore, and given the importance of the strategic situation of this border point, the authorities have scheduled its redevelopment and extension so that it complies with international standards, particularly in the field of transit.