In his opening remarks at the meeting, which began on Tuesday at the Dakhla Municipal Council headquarters, Raghib Hormatallah, President of the Dakhla Municipal Council, affirmed that Dakhla, by hosting a gathering of young elected officials from across Africa, has become a true space for African dialogue and a bridge for communication and cooperation among the peoples of the continent.

Hormatallah, who also heads the Network of Young Local Elected Officials in Africa, emphasized that the future of the continent is shaped by its youth, noting that, “Our responsibility as young elected officials, representing cities and municipalities from various African countries, is to act as bridges of cooperation between the different cities of the continent.”

In this context, he highlighted that Moroccan youth, as the nation's energy and the driving force behind its development, benefit from the utmost attention of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who has made youth empowerment and their involvement in political life and local governance a strategic choice for building the Morocco of today and tomorrow. He added that Dakhla was chosen to host this meeting because it embodies Morocco's African vision, based on South-South cooperation and the promotion of shared development under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

Hormatallah also emphasized that the Royal Atlantic Initiative, which aims to provide Sahel countries with access to the Atlantic Ocean, opens promising economic prospects. He further noted that the Dakhla Atlantic Port project constitutes a major economic and logistical platform and a strategic gateway for trade and development in Africa.

He affirmed that the African-Atlantic Gas Pipeline project reflects the determination to build an economically integrated African space, highlighting that these major projects represent an investment in the continent's future, particularly for the benefit of African youth.

For his part, Adoum Mohamed Adoum, Mayor of Ngoura in Chad, told the press that this event serves as a source of inspiration for young elected officials, encouraging them to envision Africa's future in governance, local development, and decentralization.

Meanwhile, Abdul Ghani Obassa, President of the Local Council of Ajiji Lagos (Nigeria), described this meeting as a crucial milestone for African leaders and young local elected officials, enabling them to unify their efforts, work together, strengthen cooperation, stimulate development, and ensure a prosperous future for the continent, which represents the future of the world.

Soufiane Hamr Batan, a member of the Municipal Council of Al-Amiriya in Libya, stated that holding the meeting in Dakhla, which serves as a bridge to the African continent, underscores that “young people are not only the leaders of the future but also decision-makers committed to achieving sustainable development and strengthening local governance.”

Participants hope that this meeting will constitute a new step toward enhancing cooperation among the youth of African cities, contributing to the development of a strong network of young elected officials who believe in Africa and its ability to shape its own future.