Latest news with #Sahrawis
Ya Biladi
a day ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
«We won't criticize him publicly», says Polisario after Zuma's Morocco visit and Sahara support
South Africa's former President Jacob Zuma remains under scrutiny following his recent visit to Morocco, where he expressed support for the 2007 autonomy plan for the Sahara in his capacity as leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party. The latest reaction comes from Mohamed Yeslem Beisat, the Polisario's former ambassador to South Africa and «foreign minister» of the self-proclaimed «SADR». «We as Polisario will never make public comments about comrade Jacob Zuma because of his age and because he has been friends with us for the last 50 years», Beisat told South Africa's Mail & Guardian. «Unless we meet and hear from him directly, we will never make Morocco happy by speaking badly or negatively about him», he added. Zuma's position has triggered strong political backlash in South Africa. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) condemned the move and called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to demand an official apology from Morocco for displaying the South African flag during a partisan meeting. Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), also weighed in. On Monday, he harshly criticized Zuma, calling him a «sellout». In response, Magasela Mzobe, head of the MK party's presidential office, defended Zuma's stance. He praised Morocco as «a prime example of how democracy and modernity can coexist under traditional leadership». Mzobe argued that after decades of deadlock, the most pragmatic solution is autonomy within Morocco, akin to South African provinces with self-governance under one national flag. «That's why we propose an autonomous region of Sahrawis under one country and one flag, Morocco», he argued. He added that the MK party intends to meet with the Polisario Front to explain why it believes autonomy, rather than independence, is the most realistic path forward after decades of unresolved conflict. It is worth noting that Zuma and a delegation from the MK party visited Morocco last week, meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat. During the visit, Zuma described Morocco's autonomy proposal as «a meaningful framework for local governance that also upholds Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara». The visit took place just weeks after the MK party, founded in December 2023 and now the third-largest political force in South Africa's National Assembly, officially recognized Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara.
Morocco World
4 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Sahara: Tebboune's Delusional Rant Exposes Algeria's Diplomatic Collapse
Marrakech – In a display of arrogance and self-deception, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune spewed a torrent of lies and distortions during his televised interview on Friday. The physically slouched dictator, legs splayed apart in what commentators described as a seemingly undignified posture befitting a street thug rather than a head of state, desperately clung to Algeria's increasingly isolated position on Western Sahara while attacking countries supporting Morocco's territorial integrity. 'I'm not going to abandon the Sahrawis to please certain parties and become an imperialist. With the exception of our position, all others are imperialist,' declared Tebboune, labeling major world powers as 'imperialist' for recognizing reality. In the same breath, he peddled blatant falsehoods about international recognition, fraudulently claiming: 'Today, the Western Sahara is recognized by half of the African Union members' and 'there are 55 states that recognize the Sahrawi Republic.' In reality, less than a third of AU members and fewer than half his claimed number recognize this phantom entity. The scripted charade, broadcast in carefully delayed format across Algeria's state-controlled media, was meant to showcase Tebboune's authority but instead revealed a decrepit regime crumbling under the weight of its own failures. Even the typically subservient Algerian journalists dared to challenge the president's delusional worldview. Tebboune faces rare pushback from Algeria's usually compliant press Mohamed Ousmani, director of information at Ennahar TV, punctured Tebboune's bubble by suggesting that Algeria's 'entêtement' (stubborn refusal to change) and 'manque de pragmatisme' (lack of pragmatism) directly caused the country's humiliating diplomatic defeats against Morocco. When Tebboune insisted Algeria would never abandon its principles regardless of global circumstances, the journalist retorted that this inflexibility was precisely what led to Algeria's consistent diplomatic setbacks, particularly regarding the Sahara artificial dispute. Visibly disturbed by this rare journalistic courage, Tebboune bristled with barely concealed rage and attempted to intimidate the reporter by demanding examples of such failures. Instead of citing the obvious – recognition of Morocco's Sahara sovereignty by the United States, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and numerous African countries – Ousmani diplomatically replied that 'relations with neighbors should be based on pragmatism, which remains the cornerstone of diplomacy and international relations.' His intimidation tactics kicked in immediately as he snarled at the journalist: 'Are you suggesting we abandon our support for the Polisario and become imperialist?' Tebboune then insinuated sinister 'soubassements' (underpinnings) behind the question, implying the reporter was doing someone else's bidding – a typical authoritarian tactic to silence criticism. Another journalist dared mention Algeria's growing international isolation, which Tebboune dismissed as mere 'manœuvres quotidiennes' (daily maneuvers) from Algeria's enemies, refusing to confront the stark reality of his diplomatic failures. The US sees Algeria as stubborn, stagnant, and out of touch Tebboune's delusions clash violently with facts on the ground. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy's recent report 'Strategic U.S. Engagement with Algeria' brutally dissects Algeria's strategic predicament, pointing out the 'unprecedented Western alignment behind Morocco's plan' and 'what appears to be an irreversible U.S. position of recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the territory.' The report bluntly characterizes Algeria as having 'a well-earned reputation for resistance to change' while facing 'roiling domestic dissatisfaction' that could force changes in its international partnerships. The think tank suggests that if Algeria ever returns to rational diplomacy, 'Algiers might even conceivably play a role in persuading the Polisario to accept a negotiated model of self-governance, with the Moroccan autonomy plan as the starting framework.' It acknowledges that such a sensible approach remains 'unlikely' given the regime's ideological obstinacy. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hammered another nail in Algeria's diplomatic coffin in April, declaring Morocco's Autonomy Plan 'the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute.' The message was clear: Algeria stands alone in its rejectionist stance. Even longtime Polisario sympathizers are jumping ship Meanwhile, Tebboune's few remaining African allies are abandoning ship. Jacob Zuma, founder of South Africa's UMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party and third political force in the country, recently stood in Rabat and publicly affirmed Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara. He called for strong diplomatic and economic partnership between South Africa and Morocco – a direct repudiation of Tebboune's failed policies. Zuma's party has issued a damaging ultimatum to President Cyril Ramaphosa, one of Polisario's last major supporters, who has been in power since February 14, 2018, giving him just two days to resign. The party organized confrontational demonstrations at the presidential palace in Pretoria last Friday, condemning Ramaphosa's 'negative record.' If it were to happen, this development would mimic what occurred in Peru when, in September 2023, the new Peruvian president withdrew recognition of the self-styled 'SADR' just months after former president Pedro Castillo's arrest in December 2022. In Tebboune's fantasy fleet, even the lifeboats are sinking When not spouting geopolitical fantasies, Tebboune retreated to economic fiction. Questioned about a supposed $20 billion Malaysian investment, he fumbled: 'in the industry sector!' – unable to provide even basic details of this likely imaginary deal. His litany of fabrications continued with claims that 'In Africa and the Maghreb, we are leaders in artificial intelligence use, especially by our army,' and the laughable assertion that Algeria had transformed from a 'school' into 'the world's largest university for counter-terrorism.' Tebboune's numbers grew increasingly fantastical as the interview progressed. He boasted of 85% completion for 13,000 investment projects, promised a 90-million-quintal cereal security stock, and hallucinated an agricultural production supposedly worth $38 billion in 2025 – figures that analysts consider divorced from economic reality. While bragging of Algeria's supposed economic resilience despite oil price fluctuations, Tebboune conveniently ignored that hydrocarbons still account for 96% of exports, exposing his economic diversification claims as hollow propaganda. The spectacle confirmed what observers have long known: Tebboune inhabits an alternate reality, continuing to praise the Algerian ship as the world's most magnificent vessel even as it takes on water from all sides – trapped between diplomatic isolation, economic stagnation, and growing regional irrelevance. Tags: Algerian President Abdelmadjid TebbouneAlgerian regimeWestern sahara
Ya Biladi
4 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Sahara : Tebboune accuses Morocco's backers of «imperialist» agenda
Last night, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune sat down for an interview with local media, seizing the moment to criticize nations backing Morocco's position on the Sahara, dismissing them as «imperialists». «I will not abandon the Sahrawis to appease some and become an imperialist myself. Beyond our stance, the rest is a matter of imperialism. What do I stand to lose by continuing to support Western Sahara?» he questioned. «Today, Western Sahara is recognized by half of the African Union members (in reality, less than a third, editor's note). There are 55 states that recognize the Sahrawi Republic (actually, only about half as many, editor's note)», the president claimed. «We have learned to resist. Our principles remain unchanged». The head of state defended Algeria's support for the Polisario Front, rejecting the notion that this stance has only brought «hostility» towards Algeria. Tebboune insisted that «there are no more pragmatic people than Algerians». He pointed to «the strong relations Algeria maintains with the United States, Russia, and China. Non-alignment is in our blood». However, the president avoided discussing the ongoing tensions with the European Union.
The South African
5 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
Western Sahara: 50-year independence fight blocked by Morocco
Western Sahara is a disputed territory in northwest Africa, bordered by Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania. It spans 266 000 km² and is home to approximately 620 000 people, mostly Sahrawis. Spain colonised the region in 1884 and withdrew in 1975 under the Madrid Accords, transferring administrative authority to Morocco and Mauritania, though no sovereignty was ceded. This triggered Morocco's annexation and the rise of the Polisario Front. Additionally, the United Nations (UN) recognises it as Africa's last non-self-governing territory. Morocco controls 70-80% of the land; the Polisario governs the rest as the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). The region remains under UN supervision pending decolonisation and a referendum. The Sahrawi population includes hundreds of thousands of Sahrawi refugees in Algerian camps near Tindouf. The Polisario Front is led by Brahim Ghali, who also heads the Sahrawi Republic. Morocco's 2007 autonomy plan proposes local governance under Moroccan sovereignty. France endorsed the plan in July 2024, joining the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK). Ghana reaffirmed its backing in June 2025, calling the plan 'the only viable solution'. The UK signed a joint communiqué supporting Morocco's proposal as 'credible and pragmatic'. The US maintains its recognition of Moroccan sovereignty, initially stated in 2020. Furthermore, Morocco claims support from many countries, including Kenya and Guatemala. Despite this, the UN still considers Western Sahara a non-self-governing territory. Algeria backs the Polisario Front and hosts Sahrawi refugees in Tindouf. The Polisario insists on a UN-supervised referendum including independence. In July 2025, it reaffirmed the 1991 UN-African Settlement Plan as the only legal solution. Internal dissent is growing in Tindouf camps, with calls for leadership reform. Algeria condemned France's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty and recalled its ambassador. The UN has criticised Morocco's refusal to allow human rights monitoring in the region. The European Court annulled trade deals involving Western Sahara due to a lack of Sahrawi consent. As a result, the conflict remains unresolved, with sporadic clashes and diplomatic tensions persisting. Morocco continues to exploit Western Sahara's phosphates and renewable energy. The Sahrawi Observatory (SONREP) reports illegal wind and solar projects, excluding locals. Green hydrogen projects in occupied Western Sahara risk exacerbating water scarcity and violating international legal standards due to a lack of Sahrawi consent. Foreign firms from France, China, and the UAE are involved in resource extraction and renewable energy projects in Western Sahara without Sahrawi consent. UN human rights experts condemned Morocco's demolition of Sahrawi homes linked to energy and infrastructure expansion. Human rights abuses include arbitrary detention, torture, and suppression of dissent. On the other hand, Morocco severely restricts UN access to Western Sahara for human rights monitoring. Civil society demands immediate humanitarian assistance and legal responsibility for any violations. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Ya Biladi
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Three Spaniards expelled from Laayoune for uncoordinated visit
On Tuesday, July 8, Moroccan authorities expelled three Spanish nationals from Laayoune, two journalists and a community activist. Escorted by security services, they were taken to Agadir airport and placed on a return flight to Spain. The individuals had reportedly coordinated their visit with Sahrawis linked to the Polisario Front, claiming their aim was to «assess the human rights situation in Western Sahara». Like others recently expelled from Laayoune or Dakhla, they identified themselves as «international human rights observers». Moroccan authorities maintain that such visits must be coordinated in advance with local representatives, elected officials, and authorities in Western Sahara, a condition often rejected by Polisario-aligned activists, whether in Spain or elsewhere. These expulsions frequently trigger political responses, including written questions from Spanish Members of the European Parliament directed at the European Commission.
