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. 

Western Sahara : The Moroccan initiatives made since John Bolton took office

Last year, Morocco reacted quickly to the comeback of John Bolton, named by Donald Trump as the 27th National Security Advisor of the United States. Since the former diplomat took office, the Kingdom made significant moves against Iran, supported Venezuela and repatriated nationals detained by the Syrian Democratic Forces.

The US urged Morocco to propose an autonomy plan for the Sahara, a declassified document says

The United States was interested in the Western Sahara conflict in the 1990s and the beginning of 2000s, according to a declassified document, submitted in 2009 by Morocco’s ambassador to Washington. The latter has conducted a series of actions to convince the Kingdom into abandoning the referendum and drafting an autonomy plan.

Sahara : Horst Köhler invites the four parties to the second round-table in Switzerland

European Neighborhood Policy : An EP committee rejects an amendment on the Sahara

A Danish pension fund removes OCP from its portfolio over the Western Sahara conflict

Sahara : Horst Köhler might arrange a meeting between Morocco and the Polisario in Berlin

In January, the UN Personal Envoy for Western Sahara announced that he is preparing for a second «round-table», on the Western Sahara dispute. But instead of bringing the four parties together, Horst Köhler might arrange a meeting between Morocco and the Polisario.