South Africa ANC sanctions Obed Bapela over Morocco visit

After issuing a statement on October 9 condemning MP Obed Bapela’s visit to Morocco, South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) has now taken disciplinary action. The party announced that Bapela, a former minister in the Presidency, has been removed from his position as deputy chair of its international relations sub-committee.

During his trip to Rabat, Bapela met with Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita. This meeting sparked outrage within the ANC, which swiftly criticized him for visiting Morocco. In a statement to MAP, Bapela expressed his desire to strengthen economic and trade relations between South Africa and Morocco, even encouraging Moroccan companies to invest in his country.

Bapela’s sanction isn’t surprising, as the ANC has consistently opposed any engagement with Morocco. In 2017, former President Jacob Zuma had to explain himself to the party after meeting with King Mohammed VI during an African Union-European Union summit in Abidjan.

In line with its stance, the ANC hosted Polisario’s leader in South Africa and organized a protest in front of the Moroccan embassy in Pretoria in October 2022.