West African regional group Ecowas has in principle approved Morocco's membership application despite the country being in North Africa.

But Ecowas leaders meeting in Liberia said the implications of its membership still needed to be considered before Morocco could formally join.

King Mohammed VI was not at the summit because Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been invited.

Morocco's membership application despite the country being in North Africa.

But Ecowas leaders meeting in Liberia said the implications of its membership still needed to be considered before Morocco could formally join.

King Mohammed VI was not at the summit because Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been invited.

Morocco's application comes after it rejoined the African Union in January.

Morocco left the continental body in 1984 after it recognised the independence of Western Sahara.

Africa Live: Updates on African news throughout the day
Morocco regards Western Sahara as part of its historic territory and has spent much of the last three decades trying to strengthen ties with Europe at the expense of relations with Africa.

Morocco's King Mohammed VI is strengthening his country's ties with the rest of Africa
Ivory Coast President Alasanne Ouattara has confirmed that the decision had been agreed in principle but the details still had to be worked out.

Morocco, along with Tunisia which is seeking observer status with the organisation and Mauritania, which wants to return to the body, will be invited to the next meeting of heads of state in Togo in December, a senior Ecowas source told the BBC.


Rival bodyguards 'clash'

Ecowas is made up of 15 West African nations, none of which shares a border with Morocco.
Members enjoy free trade and movement of people.
King Mohammed VI last week announced he would not be attending the summit in Liberia, because of the presence of Israel's prime minister.

Morocco does not have diplomatic ties with Israel.
Mr Netanyahu addressed West African leaders on Sunday saying: "Israel is coming back to Africa and Africa is coming back to Israel.

"I believe in Africa. I believe in its potential, present and future. It is a continent on the rise."

While in Liberia for the summit, his bodyguards scuffled with those of Togo's President Faure Gnassingbe, according to reports in the Israeli media.

This trip comes nearly a year after Mr Netanyahu was in East Africa as part of his efforts to strengthen ties between the continent and Israel.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-40158089

Mynd44, Lalasticlala get your ECOWAS passport ready, no Visa, free movement

The rationale behind the move still beats me.
I understand bi-lateral interests but ECOWAS is a sub-regional formation, for the life of me.
And the last time I checked, Morocco is up there in the north.
Besides, have they given up their Arab/Gulf identity?

Anyways, the only good news is West African hustlers can now travel there visa-free.

Goan get your ECOWAS passport if you don't already have.
Oya gbera, Morocco ti ya.

Corruption everywhere, it's not West Africa organization again

It's a good development as it will strengthen ties and foreign relations....OMG and I narrowly missed the FTC

NICE MOVE THERE

I believe the whole Africa should even be Visa Free, This will really help in developing the smaller ones and agbayas like naija

How is this possible

Then the name should be changed from ECOWAS to ECONWAS. North and west African countries.
N.B: Looks like another north and west alliance.
We are also leaving this contraption called Africa.but we will take southafrica with us.

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How the new map go com be??

Morocco ke

IPOB senior @ home, making case for our IPOB independence.

That means they have displaced Nigeria

1. Giants of West African football

- Ivory Coast
- Senegal
- Cameroon
- Ghana
- Morocco
- Mali
- Nigeria

Buhari sef

First they have to change the name.

But this people will bring nothing other than trouble. When will these stupid politicians stop taking bribe and do the right thing?

All this Mideast nations their ppl are prone to terrorism,why bring them to ecowas to cause chaos. We dont agree to this so send them back to their domain

Visa free opportunity will fall in

What about inviting our brother from B_a_r_!

there's a mission behind this... I hope is not the process of Islamizing the whole of West Africa

i am waiting to read the diplomatic implication of morocco's position and how it will impact relations with ECOWAS

my dad is biafran,my mom is nigerian
does this mean i'm an half cast??

Afonjas:
Corruption everywhere, it's not West Africa organization again

No mind them every its all about the money ... Does that mean all rights and privileges acruing to w.a citizens will be applicable upon them that is we can fly in and out with out going to their embassy for visa?
Later on na if tides go against Sudan as member of Arab nations,dem go run come ask for membership

chi4ik:
there's a mission behind this... I hope is not islamization of d whole West Africa

Some of you have this skewed victimization mindset.
So inviting a country would lead to Islamization? The other countries would fold their hands and let that happen?
Israel was invited for the meeting and you won't hear West African Muslims crying wolf.
Can't you see the bigger picture that it will further strengthen ECOWAS. Or which country in the current ECOWAS is a good as Morocco?

Hypocrites Islamophobes!!!

it is understandable if the Moroccan king refuse to attend because of his stance and his membership in Arab league.
But I heard Nigeria is nowhere to be found?.
And if it were to be true, What will be the reason or are we not in the forefront of Ecowas?

chi4ik:
there's a mission behind this... I hope is not islamization of d whole West Africa

Your guess is as good as mine. They usually have no more compelling mission

Wharis dis?