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A group of supporters of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) gathered recently in front of the party's headquarters at «Luthuli House» in Johannesburg to voice their dissatisfaction with the country's foreign policy toward Morocco.
According to South African media, the protest, led by activist Teboho Maake, highlighted a growing division among party loyalists over the direction of foreign policy, particularly regarding the ANC's long-standing support for the Sahrawi people.
«We are dissatisfied over the ANC’s stance against Morocco, and there exists an urgent need for clarity on how we plan to develop our bilateral relationships with them», Maakie argued.
The protesters delivered a memorandum of grievances to the party headquarters, calling for stronger bilateral relations with Morocco. They emphasized the importance of fostering «friendship» with the Kingdom and urged a diplomatic approach aligned with the party's historical values.
«With regards to the Western Sahara, a difference must be drawn between the issue and the issue of Palestine, especially, as Palestine itself supports Morocco and does not recognise the Sahrawi», reads said memorandum. «While countries support the legitimate struggle of Palestine for the freedom and justice, the issue of Western Sahara is perceived differently by many countries, especially, in Africa where the majority of African countries recognise Morocco sovereignty over the Western Sahara territory and maintaining this confusion weakens the much needed support and unity behind the issue», the statement clarified.
ANC and disagreement on relations with Morocco
This protest follows internal disagreements within the ANC regarding relations with Morocco. In mid-October, the party removed Obed Bapela, a former minister in the presidency, from his position as deputy chair of the party's subcommittee on international relations after his visit to Morocco and a meeting with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.
During his visit, Bapela had called for the development of economic and trade relations between South Africa and Morocco and encouraged Moroccan companies to invest in his country. The ANC accused Bapela of «violating the party's constitution and failing to comply with decisions made at the fifty-fifth national conference and previous conferences».
According to the same South African media sources, the internal discord within the party raises questions about the future of South Africa's foreign relations, particularly regarding the complex balance the ANC must maintain between solidarity with the Sahrawi movement and potential partnerships with Morocco.
It is worth noting that the ANC has long supported the Polisario Front and was instrumental in Pretoria's recognition of the «Sahrawi Republic» back in 2004. Under ANC governance since the end of apartheid in 1994, South Africa has emerged as the Polisario's most prominent ally in Africa after Algeria.
