King Mohammed VI of Morocco is set to pay a visit to Addis Ababa to drum up support for the Kingdom’s bid to return to the African Union (AU).
According to information The Reporter obtained from the Ethiopian Embassy in Rabat, the king’s visit to Ethiopia is set to be the first visit by a Moroccan leader to Addis Ababa after almost half a century.
The king visited Kigali, Rwanda last week before he headed to Tanzania marking the first leg of his three-state tour in East Africa. According to the information, he is expected to arrive in Addis the coming week for his two-day official visit.
His visit to sub-Saharan countries comes ahead of the upcoming AU summit scheduled for January 2017 here in Addis Ababa where the issue of Morocco’s re-admission to the continental organization is expected to be one of the agenda topics.
During his visit to Addis Ababa the king is expected to head a delegation comprised of senior officials, including several ministers, who are due to hold discussions with their Ethiopian counterparts.
The delegation also includes Interior Minister Mohamed Hassad, Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar, Endowments and Islamic Affairs Minister, Ahmed Taoufik, Economy and Finance Minister Mohamed Boussaid, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Aziz Akhannouch, minister delegate to the Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita as well as several other civil and military personalities.
Morocco and Ethiopian recently renewed their bilateral relationships with a view to bolster trade, investment and diplomatic ties.
Ethiopia opened its embassy in Rabat last year headed by Ambassador Yeshi Tamrat.
Source: Reporter
