"Our collective thinking and debate on 'Africa' is vital to help all nations on the continent reach their highest potential," said Ms. Mbarka Bouaida, the youngest member of Morocco's Parliament and chair of its Foreign Affairs Committee, during the panel discussions. "This conversation is not complete if it doesn't include 'North Africa.' Morocco and its neighbors have great potential as a region and can contribute tremendously to its southern neighbors."
Joining Ms. Bouaida at the four-day event were former UN Ambassador Andrew Young, Susan D. Page, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, General William "Kip" Ward, Commander of US AFRICOM, as well as several African ministers, international NGO leaders, and representatives from U.S. corporations doing business in Africa.
Two of the Forum's key topics were the growing threat of terrorism in Africa and the grave humanitarian crises festering across the continent. The panelists uniformly acknowledged that increased international attention is particularly important in unstable areas with weak leadership that could easily become "failed states." "As President Obama has said, 'The more one area is unstable, the more unstable we all are,'" Deputy Assistant Secretary Page told the panel.
U.S. business opportunities and responsibilities in Africa were highlighted in a forum on economic development moderated by National Public Radio's Charlayne Hunter-Gault, noted author and expert on African affairs. The experts reiterated that increased U.S. engagement in Africa is necessary for real progress. Morocco's free trade agreement with the U.S. and its nearly $700 million Millennium Challenge Corporation partnership were singled out as models for the continent.
"For centuries, Morocco has been a key partner with its African neighbors economically and politically—during times of peace and conflict," said Ms. Bouaida. "Morocco has seen great success in the areas of social and economic development and democratization. What will make this success greater is continued progress throughout the continent."
