In a significant show of South-South cooperation and redefinition of regional alliances, the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger—members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—expressed their strong support for the ‘Atlantic Initiative’ of King Mohammed VI of Morocco. The Moroccan proposal, announced in November 2023, seeks to facilitate access to global trade for these landlocked countries through Moroccan Atlantic ports with the aim of transforming their economies from local to global.

During an audience at the Royal Palace in Rabat, the Moroccan monarch received ministers Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré (Burkina Faso), Abdoulaye Diop (Mali) and Bakary Yaou Sangaré (Niger). The diplomats expressed the gratitude of their respective heads of state for Morocco’s continued commitment to the economic and social development of the Sahel, highlighting in particular the strategic vision of Mohammed VI in proposing access to the sea as a hub for regional cooperation, security and prosperity.


The Moroccan monarch had already pointed out in his launch speech that ‘the problems and difficulties facing our African brothers in the Sahel will not be solved solely by military and security measures, but through an approach based on cooperation and shared development.’ The initiative aims to connect the ESA countries with modern infrastructure, logistics networks and strategic ports such as Tangier Med and Dakhla, which is currently under construction, positioning Morocco as a crucial commercial bridge between the Atlantic and the interior of the continent.

During the meeting, the king also reaffirmed his commitment to unity, peace and development on the African continent, stressing that the success of this initiative will depend on the modernisation of local infrastructure and its connection to regional transport and communication networks.

Minister Sangaré highlighted Morocco’s fundamental role during a period when ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and other international actors were putting pressure on the transitional governments in the Sahel. According to him, the Kingdom was one of the first countries to understand their internal situation, adopting a policy of non-interference that contrasted with the more aggressive positions of other states. ‘At a time when they were about to declare war on us, Morocco expressed its solidarity with us,’ he said.

Since leaving ECOWAS, the three Sahel countries have formed the AES as a new confederation focused on political sovereignty and strengthening African alliances. In this context, Moroccan support has not only been well received, but also seen as an opportunity to diversify their strategic ties, distance themselves from Western powers and address common challenges such as security and economic development.

Burkinabe Minister Traoré, for his part, announced that his country is already working at the technical and logistical levels to implement the Atlantic proposal, assuring that the initiative is not limited to physical access to the sea, but marks the beginning of a fundamental economic transformation.


In addition to its economic content, the current geopolitical context gives this meeting a deeper meaning. While these countries are strengthening their ties with Rabat, relations between the AES and Algeria have deteriorated in recent months, with accusations by the Sahelian bloc of Algerian interference and support for destabilising insurgent groups.

With this new Atlantic alliance, Morocco reaffirms its regional and continental leadership, while Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger find in Rabat a key ally for their institutional and economic reconstruction. The Atlantic Initiative, more than just a logistical project, is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious ventures for the development of the African continent.