EU seeks Moroccan leverage to repair fractured Sahel ties

The European Union is turning to Morocco to restore its strained ties with Sahel countries. This diplomatic shift was highlighted during the recent visit of EU Special Representative João Cravinho to Rabat.

Cravinho held talks with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, emphasizing the importance of deeper cooperation between the EU and Morocco to address the region’s escalating challenges. He described Morocco as a strategic partner, calling the relationship “a priority of great importance” for the EU.

Cravinho praised Morocco’s ties with the Sahel nations, viewing them as a key source of regional insight. He said these relationships are essential for shaping joint responses that meet the needs of the region’s populations.

He also acknowledged the complex crisis gripping the Sahel, marked by both security threats and socioeconomic instability. His visit aimed to identify ways for the EU and Morocco to work together more closely in pursuit of peace and stability.

Since assuming office in November 2024, Cravinho has prioritized re-engagement with Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, all of which are now governed by military juntas. His visit follows consultations in Niamey in February that outlined a new EU approach to the region.

The political map of West Africa has shifted dramatically since the formal exit of these three countries from ECOWAS on January 29. The departure triggered the emergence of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which has taken steps to function as a self-reliant confederation. This includes launching a shared biometric passport, scrapping roaming charges, and adopting a common anthem.

Morocco’s favorable relations with AES countries enhance its position as a regional mediator. In December 2024, King Mohammed VI helped secure the release of four French intelligence agents detained in Burkina Faso. French President Emmanuel Macron later thanked the monarch directly for his intervention.

Morocco also acts as an economic catalyst for the Sahel. The country’s Atlantic initiative has received public support from Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad. The project offers these landlocked states access to the Atlantic Ocean and aims to foster broader regional integration.

On April 28, King Mohammed VI hosted the foreign ministers of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso in Rabat. The meeting occurred during a diplomatic row with Algeria, after Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso recalled their ambassadors from Algiers. The move followed accusations that Algerian forces shot down a Malian drone near their shared border.

Moroccan trade with the four AES countries currently stands at roughly $300 million. Analysts estimate the trade potential at $2.23 billion, suggesting the relationship remains largely untapped.

From the EU’s perspective, Morocco presents a credible channel for re-establishing its influence in the Sahel. Rabat’s steady diplomacy and ties with both European governments and the new Sahel leadership have made it a trusted intermediary.

At the center of Morocco’s strategy lies the Dakhla-N’Djamena corridor. More than a trade route, it aims to become a robust development axis linking Morocco with Chad through the Sahel. The planned Atlantic Port of Dakhla, slated for completion by 2029, is expected to handle 35 million tons of cargo annually and provide the Sahel region with secure maritime access.

As the Sahel becomes a battleground for competing interests, Morocco has emerged as a critical player. Its balanced approach and growing regional influence allow it to bridge European goals with African realities in a region under rapid transformation.