Former South African President Jacob Zuma is facing backlash from his country’s Foreign Ministry after expressing support for Morocco’s Sahara autonomy plan during a July visit to Rabat as leader of the MK party. South Africa’s DIRCO condemned the use of national symbols during Zuma’s meeting with Moroccan officials, calling it a misrepresentation of official state positions and demanding Morocco refrain from such actions.
One year after King Mohammed VI and the former South African President Jacob Zuma met, relations between the two countries remained stuck in a dichotomy between politics and economy.
The African National Congress party frowns upon the meeting that brought both King Mohammed VI and Jacob Zuma. To justify his new policy, the South African president referred to the history and legacy of Nelson Mandela and the support he received from Morocco. Details.
South Africa is once again trying to assist the Polisario’s leadership. In August, the country showed support for the Front in a statement delivered before the South African Development Community countries, while in September it managed to mention the Western Sahara conflict during a BRICS’ conference. Yesterday and during the 5th ordinary session of the Pan-African Parliament, Pretoria imposed Brahim Ghali as a guest of honor.