Smara: Launch of the International Club of Twin Cities, a New African Platform for Territorial Diplomacy

This club, designed as a framework for consultation between local authorities, aims to make the southern regions a key driver of Morocco’s economic, social, and diplomatic influence, while strengthening territorial diplomacy, South-South cooperation, and international solidarity.

The management of the club will be overseen by an International Coordination Council composed of elected representatives of twin cities, partner institutions, and experts in international law on local governance. This council will ensure the strategic and legal coherence of the initiatives undertaken, the continuity of projects, and Morocco’s adherence to its international commitments in the field of decentralized cooperation.

In a statement to MAP, Moulay Brahim Cherif, President of the Communal Council of Smara, emphasized that this initiative brings together mayors from several African, American, and Indian cities with the goal of creating a genuine framework for cooperation and the exchange of experiences.

According to him, the club also represents an opportunity to strengthen territorial diplomacy, seen as an essential tool for defending the sacred causes of the Nation and its territorial integrity.

For his part, Yahia Tindina, Mayor of Timbuktu (Mali), praised the creation of the club, which he said provides an opportunity to discover cities from around the world and to build direct links between mayors in order to benefit from their respective expertise.

He added that Smara, a spiritual and cultural city, now stands as “the city of all the mayors of the world.”

Meanwhile, Pankaj Choudhary, representing the municipality of Vijayawada in India, welcomed the establishment of this structure, which offers member cities’ representatives a space for meetings and collective reflection to promote sustainable development projects and youth empowerment.

The club addresses a contemporary need: institutionalizing twin city relationships and municipal partnerships within a framework that aligns with international law and the principles of good governance. Its mission is to become a permanent space for consultation, coordination, and joint action between Moroccan, African, and international local authorities.

Moreover, the club seeks to strengthen mechanisms of decentralized cooperation, promote participatory governance, pool skills, and encourage the exchange of expertise in areas such as local development, ecological transition, and social cohesion.

The launch of this initiative, attended notably by the Governor of Smara Province, Mr. Brahim Boutmilat, representatives of foreign municipalities, and international networks of mayors and municipal workers from several continents, took place as part of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Green March in Smara.

Beyond its institutional significance, the creation of the International Club of Smara of Twin Cities marks a major step in shaping Moroccan and African territorial diplomacy, positioning Smara as a true crossroads for diplomatic dialogue and multilateral consultation.

Editorial team/le7tv