26 February – 2 March 2018, Rabat, Morocco –The Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO) organized a visit to Morocco from 26 February – 2 March 2018 where they held meetings with high-level officials and a vast number of civil society organisations. The familiarization visit to Morocco was organized with the aim of sensitizing civil society in Morocco on AU activities, programmes, and organs.

Speaking on behalf of His Excellency the AUC Chairperson, CIDO Director, Mr. Ahmed Al-Basheer expressed his happiness to see Morocco occupying its seat among the African family which will strengthen the African solidarity and enhance the continent performance in the area of integration and development. He also noted with great satisfaction that following the revision of its Constitution, the Kingdom of Morocco is now considering the civil society community as a partner and it is involved at many level of the decision making process.

On his part, the Head of Civil Society Division, Amb Jalel Chelba gave a detailed explanation on the African Union and its various organs. Particular emphasis was made on the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC); an organ comprising entirely of civil society. He highlighted the objectives, membership and election process within ECOSOCC, especially that the preparation for the election into the 3rd General Assembly of ECOSOCC will start very soon taking into consideration that the term of the 2nd General Assembly will come to end on December 2018.

Ms. Hazel Dixon, policy officer CIDO, introduced the work and activities of the Citizens and Diaspora Directorate detailing the achievements, challenges and the way forward and detailing the different means where the CSO in Morocco can engage with the Directorate and the AU Commission. The different presentations were followed by a deep and informative discussion which shows the high interest of the civil society constituency in Morocco.

During the Forum, the “Association Key for Peace for the Development and Solidarity”, the local partner for the event announced that a Peace Caravane will depart in the following months from Morocco to Addis Ababa, the AUC Headquarters through seventeen (17) African countries with the aim of promoting peace, solidarity and African development and integration.

For more information please contact:
Hazel Dixon
Policy Officer
Civil Society Division; CIDO
DixonH@africa-union.org

Ernest Kaliza Jr.
Communications Consultant
EKaliza@africa-union.org;

Media Contact:
Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou| Head of Information Division | African Union Commission | Tel: +251 (0) 911361185 | E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org |