Sahara : In Morocco, some parties fear the visit of US diplomat David Hale

The US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs is expected to visit Morocco this week. This visit might give a hard time to some parties in the Kingdom, especially as Antonio Guterres’ report on Western Sahara reflected the US willingness to make a change on the human rights situation in the region.

Algeria : When Abdelaziz Bouteflika adopted a conciliatory stance towards Morocco

When Abdelaziz Bouteflika won presidential elections in Algeria, he promised to restore diplomatic ties with Morocco. However, once in power, the politician adopted a conciliatory stance towards the Kingdom.

After meeting the Icelandic Prime Minister, Brahim Ghali visits the country’s parliament

The different versions of the UN draft report on the Sahara as seen by Morocco and the Polisario

A new draft report on the Western Sahara conflict has been submitted to the Security Council by the UN Secretary-General this week. The report was quoted differently by Moroccan and pro-Polisario news platforms.

Othman Benjelloun slams Saham for its $1.1 billion deal with South Africa

Western Sahara : In a new report, Antonio Guterres refers to «the lack of trust on all sides»

In a report on the two round-table talks that brought Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the Polisario together in Geneva, the Un Secretary-General referred to «the lack of trust on all sides». To Antonio Guterres, building trust between the parties involved in the conflict would lead to a solution.  

Snubbing Pretoria’s conference to attend Morocco's one, SADC states defend their decision

After snubbing Pretoria’s solidarity conference, SADC member states that attended Morocco’s parallel meeting on Western Sahara defended their choice. The two meetings made some of the organization’s leaders question SADC’s unity.

South Africa left angered over Morocco’s conference on the Sahara

The chairperson of the African National Congress, a ruling party in South Africa, criticized Morocco for hosting a parallel conference on the same day SADC was organizing a meeting to support the Polisario Front.

Sahara : SADC member states torn between a Polisario conference and a Marrakech meeting

As Marrakech is hosting an African meeting on the Western Sahara conflict, Pretoria chairs a SADC conference to support the Polisario. Some African countries have decided to send delegations to both Morocco and South Africa, trying to please both parties.

History : When King Hassan II reached an agreement with Bouteflika on the Sahara issue

In 1999, and months after he passed away, King Hassan II reached an agreement with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on the Western Sahara conflict, US Department of State document reveals.