Latest news with #PolisarioFront
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First Post
2 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
Africa News Live Updates: MK's Sahara shock, Sudan's oil conflict, Nigeria's budget battles
July 23, 2025, 10:54:40 (IST) Whatsapp Facebook Twitter MK party's Western Sahara stance introduces foreign policy uncertainty for South Africa A representative for Western Sahara's Polisario Front, Mohamed Beisat, has stated the movement will not publicly criticise former South African President Jacob Zuma, despite his recent visit to Morocco and suggestions from his MK party that Western Sahara should be a Moroccan province, Mail & Guardian says in a report. This development introduces a significant element of foreign policy unpredictability for South Africa. The MK party's position is a stark deviation from South Africa's long-established policy of recognising the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). For investors and businesses, this signals potential instability and a lack of policy cohesion within South Africa's new political landscape, which could heighten political risk and complicate commercial engagements in North Africa, particularly with nations like Algeria, a key supporter of the SADR.
Ya Biladi
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
After Zuma's visit to Morocco, South Africa hosts forum backing Polisario
Former South African President Jacob Zuma's recent endorsement of Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara has sent shockwaves through political circles in both Pretoria and Algiers. In response, the South African Embassy in Algeria quickly organized a diplomatic forum in support of the Polisario Front. According to Algerian media, representatives from «around fifteen countries» attended the event, while the Polisario's press agency reported the presence of «about twenty ambassadors». Interestingly, both sources highlighted only two speeches: those of the South African ambassador and the Polisario representative in Algiers. The forum ended with a joint statement reiterating positions long familiar to attendees of similar pro-Polisario gatherings, whether held in Africa or elsewhere. Notably, South Africa had already held a session of this diplomatic forum in Algiers on April 2 9. It is unusual for such events, typically initiated by South Africa's diplomatic mission in Algeria in support of the Polisario, to occur in such close succession. This latest edition was clearly prompted by Jacob Zuma's backing, as leader of the MK party, for Morocco's autonomy plan in Western Sahara, a position strongly condemned by the ruling African National Congress (ANC). Just last week, Algeria sent envoys to Pretoria for discussions with South African officials and ANC members on the political fallout of Zuma's stance, and its implications for South Africa's recognition of the so-called «SADR», which it officially recognized in 2004. The issue was also raised on July 18 in Algiers during a meeting between Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf and his Polisario «counterpart», Mohamed Yeslem Beissat.
El Chorouk
12 hours ago
- Politics
- El Chorouk
Morocco Obstructs the Realistic Solution to the Western Sahara Conflict
Morocco refuses to honour its commitments to implement a realistic and genuine solution to the conflict in Western Sahara, the Minister of Foreign and African Affairs of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), Mohamed Yeslam Beissat, confirmed on Tuesday in Algiers. During a press conference at his country's embassy in Algeria, Beissat said that the Sahrawi Republic 'will celebrate its 50th anniversary at the beginning of next year, embodying the aspirations of the Sahrawi people for freedom, independence, and self-determination.' He emphasised that this constitutes 'tangible evidence of our people's steadfastness, patience, and determination to defend their legitimate right to freedom from occupation. It is further evidence that the only practical and acceptable solution is to respect the will of the Sahrawi people and the sovereignty of the Sahrawi Republic.' Beissat addressed the suffering of the Sahrawi people over the past 50 years due to Morocco's ongoing aggression, emphasising that the Makhzen 'lacks the sincere political will to implement a realistic and genuine solution to the conflict in Western Sahara, given its refusal to abide by the commitments it signed.' He explained that 'the Moroccan government's behaviour blatantly contradicts its statements. On the one hand, it claims to be seeking a solution, while on the other, it is escalating the war, intensifying repression, increasing the plunder of resources, and persisting in demonizing the Sahrawi people and their sole legitimate representative, the Polisario Front.' He emphasized that the Makhzen 'has no project' and that 'all it has now is a premeditated maneuver to waste time and delay the self-determination referendum, and with it, delay the date for peace, integration, development, and integration in the Maghreb and Africa.' He stressed that if Morocco 'truly wants a solution, the shortest path to that goal is to respect its signed and documented commitments and obligations, as contained in the resolutions of the UN Security Council, the International Court of Justice, the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, and the Court of Justice of the European Union, all of which affirmed the legal nature of the conflict and the need to respect the will of the Sahrawi people.' He also called for the release of Sahrawi political prisoners in the occupation's prisons and an end to the policy of bribery and media disinformation exposed by several leaks and scandals, such as 'Moroccogate' in the European Parliament. The Sahrawi Minister affirmed that his country interacts positively with the efforts of the United Nations and with all good efforts that respect the legal nature of the conflict and are based on the principles and foundations of international law. However, it continues its legitimate struggle by all means to defend its national sovereignty and the internationally recognised rights of the Sahrawi people. Finally, Beissat praised Algeria's firm and supportive position on the Sahrawi cause and the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination, as President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has recalled on several occasions. He expressed the Sahrawi Republic's deep gratitude for this support.
Straits Times
15 hours ago
- 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
Reuters
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Portugal signals support for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara
LISBON, July 22 (Reuters) - 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". 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.
