Morocco asks to rejoin African Union after 32 yearsJuly 19, 2016 - 10:29 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Morocco has formally announced its wish to rejoin the African Union, 32 years after leaving the organisation, BBC News reports. In a message to the AU summit in Rwanda, the Moroccan King Mohammed VI said the time had come for his country to retake its place within its institutional family. Morocco left the AU in 1984, after the organisation recognised the independence of Western Sahara. Moroccans describe Western Sahara as their country's "southern provinces". For more than three decades, Morocco has refused to be part of the organisation. In March, it threatened to pull its soldiers out of UN global peacekeeping missions because of the dispute. Now, the Moroccan authorities seem to have concluded their absence hasn't helped them diplomatically over Western Sahara and many other issues, says the BBC's Africa Reporter James Copnall. They sent a special envoy to lobby African leaders at their summit in the Rwandan capital Kigali this weekend. The AU has said that it will continue pushing for the rights of the people of Western Sahara to hold a self-determination referendum. Morocco is the only African country which is not an AU member. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |