OIC hails Morocco’s return to African Union

By Mustapha Dalaa

ISTANBUL (AA) - Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Yusuf Bin Ahmed al-Othaimeen hailed Morocco’s return to the African Union (AU) following a 33-year absence, according to a Tuesday statement.

Al-Othaimeen expressed hope that the move would enhance the AU’s weight on the international level, thereby making it easier to find solutions to the continent’s myriad challenges.

The OIC chief also congratulated Chadian Foreign Minister Moussa Faki Mahmat for his election as new AU Commission chairman.

At the AU’s 28th Summit in Addis Ababa on Monday, Mahamat was elected to replace Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who stepped down after four years at the helm of the AU Commission.

Al-Othaimeen also commended the close ties between the OIC and AU, saying he was "looking forward to working with the new chairman with a view to cooperating in areas of mutual concern".

Morocco was readmitted into the AU on Monday following an absence of more than three decades.

In 1984, Morocco left the Organization of African Unity -- the predecessor of the AU -- after the union formally recognized the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic in the Western Sahara region, which Rabat considers Moroccan territory.