L’Eclaireur – EP3 : Corridor d’accès à l’Atlantique Maroc – Sahel

Summary

In this podcast episode, the host discusses a significant geopolitical initiative proposed by King Mohammed VI of Morocco during his speech on November 6, 2023, to improve access to the Atlantic Ocean for Sahel states. The initiative aims to establish a Trans-Saharan corridor connecting countries like Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad to Morocco’s Atlantic ports. This project is seen as crucial in alleviating the economic and security challenges faced by these landlocked nations, which are struggling with political instability, climate challenges, and limited access to international trade routes.

Takeaways

• 😀 Morocco proposed the launch of an initiative to facilitate Sahel states' access to the Atlantic Ocean during the 48th anniversary of the Green March on November 6, 2023.
• 😀 On December 23, 2023, four Sahel states (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad) agreed to Morocco's proposal to provide them access to the Atlantic Ocean.
• 😀 Mauritania's involvement is still crucial for the success of the proposed Trans-Saharan Corridor project.
• 😀 The Sahel states have faced political, economic, and security instability in recent years, with three countries experiencing military coups since 2021 (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger).
• 😀 The coups have been condemned by France and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), resulting in economic sanctions impacting food and goods supplies.
• 😀 Harsh climatic conditions in the Sahel have hindered agricultural self-sufficiency in these countries.
• 😀 The Sahel states are landlocked and rely heavily on ports in neighboring countries for international trade, with major ports being in Lagos, Togo, and Dakar.
• 😀 Three of the Sahel states (Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger) have announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS, leading to a breakdown in trade agreements and increased risks to their economic and food security.
• 😀 The proposed Moroccan initiative aims to help Sahel countries diversify their trade routes and reduce risks related to security and food supply.
• 😀 The Trans-Saharan Corridor is expected to link key capitals in the Sahel region, with a route passing through the northern part of Mali, connecting to Mauritania, and finally reaching the future port of Dakhla.

Q & A

What initiative did King Mohammed VI propose in his speech on November 6, 2023?

King Mohammed VI proposed the launch of an initiative to facilitate access for Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean via Morocco, aiming to create a trans-Saharan corridor for trade and economic cooperation.

Which countries initially responded positively to Morocco's proposal?

The four Sahel countries that responded favorably to Morocco's proposal were Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad.

Why is Mauritania's participation in this project crucial?

Mauritania's participation is crucial as it is expected to play a key role in the trans-Saharan corridor, connecting the Sahel countries to the future port of Dakhla on the Atlantic coast.

What are some of the challenges faced by the Sahel countries?

The Sahel countries face political, economic, and security instability, including military coups, which have worsened their socio-economic conditions. These nations also struggle with climatic challenges, agricultural insufficiency, and being landlocked.

How has the political situation in the Sahel impacted the region's trade and economy?

Military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger since 2021 have led to sanctions from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which have severely impacted the availability of essential goods and the flow of trade in the region.

What ports are currently used by Sahel countries for trade?

Currently, the Sahel countries are mainly connected to the ports of Lagos (Nigeria), Lomé (Togo), and Dakar (Senegal) for their international trade.

Why is the Sahel region so reliant on ports in neighboring countries?

Due to the Sahel countries being landlocked, they rely on ports in neighboring countries for access to international markets, which is essential for importing and exporting goods.

What impact did the withdrawal of the Sahel states from ECOWAS have on their trade?

The withdrawal from ECOWAS means the Sahel countries have severed their economic agreements with other member states, disrupting trade and access to critical ports in the Gulf of Guinea, further complicating their economic situation.

What is the goal of the proposed trans-Saharan corridor?

The goal of the trans-Saharan corridor is to provide Sahel countries with an alternative trade route, decreasing their reliance on ports in the Gulf of Guinea and improving their economic, food, and security conditions.

What are the expected connections of the trans-Saharan corridor?

The trans-Saharan corridor is expected to connect key cities in the Sahel region, including Bamako (Mali), Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), and Niamey (Niger), with a route through Mauritania leading to the port of Dakhla in Morocco.