“Africa Is Rising”: Rotary Director Emmanuel Katongole Sends Video Message to Third ICC Peace Forum in Casablanca
A video message from Rotary International Director Emmanuel Katongole has opened the Third ICC Peace Forum in Casablanca, Morocco, with the Ugandan industrialist and philanthropist framing the gathering as further proof of what he called “Africa rising.”
Speaking directly to camera, Katongole — who represents Zones 21 and 22 of Rotary International, covering Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe, for the 2026–2028 term — opened with a warm address to the “family of Rotary” before turning to the significance of the forum’s host city.
“I am extremely thrilled that the third ICC Peace Forum is taking place in the beautiful city of Casablanca, in Morocco,” Katongole said. “I’ve been in Casablanca, I love Casablanca, and I love the work that you do at the ICC.”
The message singled out two figures central to the forum. The first was Annemarie Mostert, Executive President of the Rotary Intercountry Committees for the 2026–2028 term, whom Katongole congratulated on assuming the ICC presidency. “This is Africa rising, this is what Africa is known for,” he said. “Africa should take its rightful place in the world.”
The second was Younes Saih, the newly installed District Governor of Rotary District 9010 —which spans Morocco and Tunisia — whom Katongole addressed as “my friend, my brother.” “I know what you’re going to do, I know the beauty that you’re going to put to Rotary,” he told Saih. “We are going to grow together, we are going to cause a lasting impact
together.”Katongole closed by describing the Casablanca gathering as a foundation for the year ahead rather than an isolated event. “Let this third ICC Peace Forum be a beginning, be the foundation of what a great year you’re going to have,” he said, urging delegates to “let ICC be the premier organization that campaigns and stands for peace in the world.”
The Third ICC Peace Forum continues Rotary’s rotating series of continental peace gatherings under the Intercountry Committees, following previous editions in Cairo and Cape Town. The Casablanca forum marks the first time the event has been hosted in a French-speaking African country, consistent with plans outlined by Rotary leadership at the 2025 Calgary Convention.
Pierangelo Panozzo
Rotary Club Rome International
District 2080 - Italy
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