Morocco's considerable role in Africa stems from strong presence

   "Morocco's presence in Africa and its willingness to benefit African states with its rich experience, evidence the respected place of the Kingdom in Africa and elsewhere," he told map, on the sidelines of his working visit to Ethiopia which coincides with the 14th Ordinary Summit of the African Union.

   Ouzzine said Morocco, a founding member of the Organisation of the the African Unity (OAU), did not withdrew from the OAU on grounds of not being convinced of its principles, but because of reasons that appeared following its creation.

   In this regard, he said that many African officials consider Morocco's absence from the AU as a loss.

   "Without beating around the bush, this is a recognition of Morocco's role in Africa, in addition to the respect the Kingdom enjoys in the continent and elsewhere," Ouzzine said.

   He added that Morocco withdrew from the OAU in 1984 in protest of schemes hatched by the enemies of Morocco's territorial integrity with the complicity of the Oau’s former Secretary General Edem Kodjo that led to admission of the puppet state "SADR".