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TimesLIVE
23-07-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Portugal signals support for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara
Portugal joined other Western countries in expressing a positive view of Morocco's autonomy proposal for the disputed Western Sahara region, after Portuguese foreign minister Paulo Rangel said on Tuesday the plan had a "serious and credible basis". The dispute, dating back to 1975, pits Morocco — which claims sovereignty over Western Sahara — against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks an independent state there. Rangel showed support for the autonomy proposal, first presented by Moroccan King Mohammed VI to the UN in 2007, following a meeting in Lisbon with Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita. The plan would establish a local legislative, executive, and judicial authority for Western Sahara elected by its residents, while Rabat would retain control over defence, foreign affairs, and religion.
Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Portugal signals support for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Polisario Front soldiers parade during celebrations for the 35th anniversary of the group's independence movement for control of Western Sahara from Morocco/File Photo LISBON - Portugal joined other Western countries in expressing a positive view of Morocco's autonomy proposal for the disputed Western Sahara region, after Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said on Tuesday the plan had a "serious and credible basis". The dispute, dating back to 1975, pits Morocco - which claims sovereignty over Western Sahara - against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks an independent state there. Rangel showed support for the autonomy proposal, first presented by Moroccan King Mohammed VI to the United Nations in 2007, following a meeting in Lisbon with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. The plan would establish a local legislative, executive, and judicial authority for Western Sahara elected by its residents, while Rabat would retain control over defence, foreign affairs, and religion. "Following movements made by France, Spain, Britain and others, Portugal considers that this ... will be the most serious basis for a solution, but always under the auspices of the U.N.," Rangel later told reporters, falling short of recognising Morocco's sovereignty over the territory. Jose Tomaz Castello Branco, a professor of political science at Lisbon's Catholic University, said Portugal's position was "quite diplomatic, reasonable, and opens the door to a future formal recognition of Morocco's sovereignty". "However, the Portuguese government is reserving room to maneuver to decide in the future, not committing completely yet," he said, adding that Lisbon's position should always be "carefully considered because Morocco is also Portugal's neighbor". Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Singapore, Vietnam agree to step up defence ties, dialogue between leaders Asia Malaysia govt's reform pledge tested as DAP chief bows over unresolved 2009 death of political aide Tech Singapore to increase pool of early adopters in AI to complement data scientists, engineers Singapore Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving During a high-level meeting in 2023, Portugal's previous Socialist government had already formalised its view of Morocco's proposal as "realistic, serious and credible", but Rangel's comments cemented the current centre-right government's position. In 1976, following Spain's withdrawal from what was until then its colony, the Polisario Front proclaimed the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic as a government-in-exile, based on the right to self-determination. France and Spain have also backed the autonomy proposal, with Madrid in 2022 formally describing it as "the most serious, realistic and credible" framework for resolving the dispute. REUTERS
IOL News
20-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
ANC criticises Jacob Zuma for supporting Morocco in Western Sahara dispute
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has said that the party is not surprised by the move from the leader of the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, Jacob Zuma, to show support for the Kingdom of Morocco. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspaper ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has branded Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party leader Jacob Zuma a "sellout" for his support of the Kingdom of Morocco, stating that the party is not surprised by Zuma's actions. The Western Sahara, a sparsely populated desert region on Africa's northwest coast, was a Spanish colony before its annexation by Morocco in 1975. This has led to a protracted territorial dispute between Morocco and the indigenous Saharawi people, represented by the Polisario Front. The ANC criticism comes after Zuma visited Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat. Zuma shared his support for the Kingdom of Morocco, which considers the Western Sahara territory as its own, against the Algeria-backed Polisario front, which seeks an independent state in the desert territory. The MK Party released a policy position earlier this week explaining that they believe South Africa and the Kingdom of Morocco should be committed to strengthening their bilateral relations, grounded in shared principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and African unity. 'The MK Party's identity is deeply rooted in the historic struggle for liberation and dignity in South Africa. Similarly, Morocco's history is marked by its resistance to colonial domination and its determined pursuit of national unity. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'Both nations were shaped by their anti-colonial struggles — South Africa from apartheid and Morocco from French and Spanish rule. 'In this regard, Morocco has played a pivotal role in supporting South Africa through its fight for liberation. Morocco was the first country to lend financial and military support to Umkhonto weSizwe in 1962. 'Morocco's efforts to reclaim its full territorial integrity align with the MK Party's commitment to preserving the sovereignty and unity of African states,' the policy states. On Saturday, the party lambasted the use of the national flag in Zuma's meeting with Moroccan officials. 'This reckless and provocative act constitutes a flagrant violation of international diplomatic norms and an unacceptable intrusion into South Africa's internal political affairs. It is a dangerous attempt to delegitimise our constitutional order and discredit the authority of a democratically elected government. 'The inclusion of our national symbols in partisan activities hosted by foreign powers is not only misleading but also part of a broader agenda of foreign interference,' the ANC said. 'The ANC urges the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to issue a formal diplomatic protest and to demand an immediate explanation and apology from the Moroccan authorities. 'We also call on all South Africans, regardless of political affiliation, to reject this dangerous precedent that threatens our sovereignty, our democracy, and our national unity. 'We further condemn the opportunistic involvement of Jacob Zuma, who has aligned himself with efforts that erode South Africa's standing in the international community and betray the principles of non-alignment, peace, and anticolonial solidarity that he once purported to uphold,' the party said. 'The leader of the MKP has revealed his true colours by demonstrating a lack of belief in the ANC's political, economic, and ideological principles of progressive internationalism, Pan-Africanism, and solidarity on both international and continental levels. 'It is shameful that a former leader of a liberation movement is betraying our historical mission and showing his true colours as he stands in opposition to the aim of contributing to the creation of a better Africa and world that is more humane, just, equitable, democratic, and free world,' the ANC said. Former president and current leader of uMkhonto weSizwe Party are seeking to overturn President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent reforms to the police ministry. Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers On Sunday, Mbalula said that Zuma's actions are not a surprise as 'Jacob Zuma represents everything that is... pursued by sellouts'. Mbalula came out to address the media during a short interval at the Cape Sun Hotel, where the ANC's National Working Committee (NWC) met with the Provincial Executive Committee. This forms part of the ANC's ongoing efforts to strengthen its organisational capacity and engage directly with structures of the movement across regions and districts. 'We, as the ANC, will fight side-by-side for the self-determination of the Sahrawi people. We are in solidarity with them, and Morocco must stop the occupation of Western Sahara. 'Zuma is no messiah. He is a sellout of note. For whatever reason, he is doing this is no surprise to us,' Mbalula said. 'The very decision to steal the assets of the ANC to form a political party, and call it what it is, to divide our people, to weaken the African National Congress, for his own personal aggrandisement, is what he has been. He will be remembered for that by history.' The MK Party was contacted for comment, but indicated that they will respond to Mbalula's comment at a future briefing.
TimesLIVE
06-06-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Ghana endorses Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara
Ghana said on Thursday it views a Moroccan autonomy plan as the sole basis to settle the Western Sahara dispute within the framework of the UN, aligning itself with a growing number of Western, African and Arab countries that back Rabat's position on the dispute. The long-frozen conflict pits Morocco, which considers the desert territory as its own, against the Algeria-backed Polisario front, which seeks an independent state there. Ghana considers the autonomy plan "as the only realistic and sustainable basis to a mutually agreed solution to the issue", said a joint statement issued after talks between Ghana's foreign minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita in Rabat. The UN should remain the exclusive framework for finding a solution to the issue, the statement said. The position was expressed few days after similar stands by Kenya and the UK, reflecting a diplomatic shift in Morocco's favour.
Straits Times
05-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Ghana endorses Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara
RABAT - Ghana said on Thursday it views a Moroccan autonomy plan as the sole basis to settle the Western Sahara dispute within the framework of the UN, aligning itself with a growing number of Western, African and Arab countries that back Rabat's position on the dispute. The long-frozen conflict pits Morocco, which considers the desert territory as its own, against the Algeria-backed Polisario front, which seeks an independent state there. Ghana considers the autonomy plan "as the only realistic and sustainable basis to a mutually agreed solution to the issue," said a joint statement issued after talks between Ghana's foreign minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita in Rabat. The UN should remain the exclusive framework for finding a solution to the issue, the statement said. The position was expressed few days after similar stands by Kenya and the UK, reflecting a diplomatic shift in Morocco's favour. Ghana and Morocco also agreed to promote defense cooperation and work on a visa waiver deal. With Morocco home to fertilizers and phosphates giant OCP, the two countries agreed to cooperate on food security, the statement said. Moroccan fertilisers will help Ghana develop cocoa farming and reduce dependence on food imports, worth $3 billion annually, Okudzeto Ablakwa told reporters. Ghana, part of the Morocco-Nigeria pipeline deal, backs Morocco's initiative to help landlocked Sahel states access global trade through the Atlantic, he said. Moroccan minister Bourita said Ghana's position on the conflict was conducive to bilateral cooperation. The Moroccan autonomy plan has gathered steam since the U.S. recognized Rabat's sovereignty over the disputed territory in 2020, followed by France last July. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
