Latest news with #pro-Polisario
Morocco World
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Beyond Confusion: Boulos's Remarks Reaffirm U.S Recognition of Morocco's Sovereignty
Some of the developments the Western Sahara dossier have seen in the past few weeks may go down in the history of this lingering territorial dispute as announcing the slow but certain death of the suggestion by the Algerian regime and its pro-Polisario allies or sympathizers that President Trump's support for Morocco's territorial integrity was never as deep as many might have hoped. Following recent comments by Secretary Marco Rubio and UN Envoy Staffan de Mistura, Massad Boulos's interview with the Al-Hadath channel and its immediate aftermath are the latest in this chain of developments that confirm the depth of the Trump White House's professed commitment to upholding Morocco's sovereignty over the Western Sahara region. Indeed, while President Trump's senior Africa advisor made comments that could have been used to cast doubt on Washington's commitment to its 2020 proclamation on the Sahara, his rush to set the record straight immediately after the interview suggests that his gaffe was a momentary slip and does not in any way indicate a coming change in the direction of the geopolitical winds blowing on the Sahara dossier. Immediately after the segment in which Boulos addressed the issue began circulating, I received numerous messages from concerned Moroccans asking whether his remarks indicated a potential shift in how the Trump team was handling the Sahara dossier. These concerns were not entirely unfounded — particularly given Boulos's references to points that could be interpreted as favorable to Algeria, such as his claim that 'Algeria is ready to accept any solution accepted by the Polisario,' and his emphasis on the need to 'care for the fate of 200,000 refugees in the Tindouf camps.' Boulos made a serious misstep when he claimed that President Donald Trump's December 10, 2020 proclamation, which officialized Washington's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara, 'was not absolute, but left the door open for a solution that satisfies all parties.' Judging from some of his talking points, it would appear, that Boulos did not prepare well for this interview. In particular, it was clear from the scope and tone of some his suggestions that he had no read or reviewed the official statement the U.S. Department of State released in the aftermath of the April 8 meeting between Secretary Marco Rubio and his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita. That statement was an exact replica of the one issued by the White House in December 2020, affirming Washington's unequivocal recognition of Morocco's sovereignty. Indeed, what Boulos failed to grasp or properly explain in his remarks to Al-Hadath is the fact that the United States' recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara was unambiguous. Both President Trump's historic tweet on the day he officialized America's newfound stance on the Sahara dispute and the piles of official documents that followed this first public gesture unmistakably suggest that Washington now considers the Moroccan autonomy plan as the only genuine and viable path to a lasting political settlement of the Sahara dispute. In other words, since December 2020, the United States views the Moroccan plan as the only political horizon for the Sahara. A questionable turnaround Following the controversy sparked by his statements, Boulos promptly published a post on his X account reiterating the U.S. administration's steadfast support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara. He went further by giving an phone interview to Morocco's Medi1 TV channel less than 24 hours after his interview with Al-Hadath. He used the opportunity not only to rectify his earlier comments and to articulate the U.S. position with greater clarity and consistency, but also to dash any hopes that the Algerian regime may harbor about exploiting his words to undermine Morocco's hard-earned diplomatic momentum. Yet, questions remain. Was that post a coincidence? How was Boulos able to publish it mere hours after his Al-Hadath interview aired? It is highly plausible that the post was made following direct instructions from the State Department — or even the White House — rather than being a spontaneous initiative on his part. Given the sensitivity of the issue, its timing, and the close attention that Morocco's highest authorities pay to every nuance of Washington's position on the Sahara, it is reasonable to conclude that Boulos was perhaps directed to clarify his statements and eliminate any ambiguity regarding the U.S. position on the Sahara. When I later dissected Boulos's interview with Al Hadath, I was surprised by some of his comments. While he did largely reaffirm the U.S. administration's official position, I was struck by his mention of the number of 'refugees' in the Tindouf camps and the need to consider their humanitarian situation — without any reference to the need for a credible census to determine their actual number. He also repeated the notion that Algeria's acceptance of any solution remains contingent on the Polisario's approval. As I argued in my previous article, Algeria's goal is twofold: to gain proximity and favor within Trump's inner circle, and to ultimately prevent any further moves that might accelerate the resolution of the Western Sahara dispute on Morocco's terms. Anyone familiar with Washington' political and diplomatic landscape knows that access to decision-makers is not difficult. All it takes is to have the financial means to hire influential lobbying firms with close ties to key players in the American political establishment, a coherent strategic vision, and the ability to actively and convincingly promote one's narrative. Motives manipulated by Algeria Hearing President Trump's senior Africa advisor make such confusing comments, which controversially depart from the State Department's recent and constant reaffirmation of the United States' unwavering support for Morocco's territorial integrity, leaves one with two possible interpretations. Either he was wittingly or unwittingly influenced by Algeria-linked individuals in Washington who likely provided him with Algeria's preferred talking points, or he was unaware of the implications and significance of his comments because he had done his homework on the subject of the interview. Why am saying this ? Simply because his statements almost perfectly echo the language used by Algeria's official narrative: a discourse designed to obscure facts and mislead international opinion by portraying Algeria as a neutral party to the conflict, while presenting the Polisario as the sole stakeholder whose consent is needed for any proposed resolution. This is a narrative that Algeria has pushed for decades to avoid international accountability and to preserve the political deadlock surrounding the territorial dispute For Boulos to go so far as to claim that the number of 'refugees' in the Tindouf camps stands at 200,000 raises serious questions and strongly suggests that his remarks reflect talking points he likely received directly from Algerian officials via the lobbying firm that represents Algeria's interests in Washington. The debate on Tindouf numbers It is well known that there is a long-standing and highly contentious debate surrounding the actual number of residents in the Tindouf camps. Morocco maintains that the number does not exceed 60,000 at most, while Algeria claims it exceeds 170,000. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) uses the latter in its official estimates, placing the number of refugees at approximately 174,000 — despite the fact that no independent or credible census has ever been conducted to verify this. Morocco firmly contests these UNHCR estimates, arguing that they are not based on any verifiable field assessments or tamper-proof data, but rather on information supplied directly by Algerian authorities, as well as based on the number of food rations distributed annually by the UN and donor countries to meet the camps' humanitarian needs. The UNHCR's ongoing failure to conduct a formal population census in the camps — due to Algeria's repeated and stubborn refusal to allow one — further undermines the credibility of its figures. Most observers and experts familiar with this issue agree that Algeria's opposition to a census or referendum is not accidental, but stems from deliberate political calculations. Algeria has long exploited the alleged number of refugees for two main purposes: first, to create the impression that the majority of Sahrawis reside in Tindouf, and that the population is sufficiently large to justify the establishment of a viable state; and second, to avoid having the world discover the true identities of the camp inhabitants, many of whom Algeria presents as native to the southern provinces of Morocco, while in reality, the majority of them are not. Since Algeria adopted its separatist project in the Sahara, several Western intelligence agencies — most notably from the United States — have cast doubt on the tribal origins of the people in the Tindouf camps. As I explain in my book on the dispute, the CIA published multiple reports in the 1970s and 1980s affirming that the majority of the 'refugees' Algeria had gathered in the Tindouf camps had no genuine connection to the Moroccan Sahara. Instead, they hailed from the Algerian region of Tindouf itself (i.e., Sahrawis of Algeria), as well as from Mauritania, Mali, and even from uncontested Moroccan Saharan areas. Consequently, Algeria has no interest in permitting any formal census of the Tindouf camps' population, as such a process could reveal truths that would undermine the narrative it has carefully constructed and promoted for decades. Algeria's embezzlement of humanitarian aid Another key reason Algeria continues to inflate the refugee numbers is to maximize the financial aid it receives from donor countries and international organizations. The higher the declared population, the more funding Algeria and the Polisario Front receive. It is widely known that both Algeria and the Polisario have, for the past four decades, been involved in the systematic and flagrant misappropriation of humanitarian aid intended for the camps. Numerous reports have documented these practices, most notably a 2015 report by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), which issued a direct and unequivocal condemnation of senior Algerian and Polisario officials for diverting aid destined for Sahrawi refugees. That same report revealed that Algeria not only inflated the refugee numbers to increase the aid it received, but also imposed a 5 percent tax on the €10 million in annual assistance provided by the European Union — an egregious violation of basic humanitarian and ethical standards in international aid governance. Thus, when President Trump's advisor for Africa claimed that the Tindouf camps house 200,000 people, he inadvertently handed the Algerian regime a gift — lending false credibility to its inflated figures submitted to the UN and giving Algeria a renewed sense of confidence that it can continue to ignore repeated UN Security Council calls for a proper census without facing serious consequences. Ill intent or lack of knowledge? That being said, Boulos's interview with Al Arabiya should not necessarily be interpreted as an expression of ill intent toward Morocco or as a signal that the U.S. administration has suddenly decided to adopt a more balanced stance favoring Algeria. What happened, quite simply, is that Boulos lacks the political experience and subject-matter expertise to navigate such a complex issue — an opening that Algeria may have skillfully exploited to promote its version of the story. Had Boulos been more informed about the dispute, he would have used that interview to stress the need for Algeria to comply with UN Security Council resolutions calling for a comprehensive census of the Tindouf camps, so the international community could determine the actual number of refugees, verify their identities, and assess their tribal and national affiliations. This would end decades of ambiguity and manipulation that Algeria continues to exploit for political gain. It was therefore imperative for Morocco to act swiftly to set the record straight and to clarify its position in no uncertain terms, especially since Boulos's remarks came at a particularly sensitive moment. Just last week, the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy to the Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, suggested that Morocco provide 'clarifications' on how it intends to implement the autonomy plan. Bolstered by clear support from both France and the United States, the Moroccan plan is now recognized as the sole credible framework for achieving a final resolution to the dispute. Boulos's statement that U.S. support for Morocco is 'not absolute' opened the floodgates for speculation about the administration's actual intentions: does Washington view the Autonomy Plan as the end point of negotiations, or is it seeking to push for a new phase in which Morocco will be asked to provide additional 'explanations' or make more concessions? The US and the Moroccan cause — an unwavering stance If the United States were to endorse de Mistura's proposal for Morocco to clarify its autonomy offer, it would effectively provide Algeria with a political lifeline — allowing it to continue obstructing progress and avoiding accountability. In this scenario, Algeria would likely push the Polisario to feign willingness to engage in discussions based on the Moroccan initiative — not with the goal of reaching a resolution, but merely to buy time. The Polisario would likely request to 'study' the Moroccan proposal, only to later reject certain elements of it. Entering into negotiations on this basis would enable the Polisario to prolong the conflict — an outcome that clearly serves Algeria's strategic interests. Morocco, however, has been firm and consistent in its stance: the autonomy initiative represents its final political offer, and it constitutes the only viable and realistic basis for any enduring political solution to the regional dispute over the Sahara. For this reason, Morocco could not ildly stand by while a Trump advisor makes statements that could be interpreted as deviating from the clear and principled position previously articulated by the U.S. government. It is unlikely that Boulos would have rushed to give an interview to a Moroccan media outlet without behind-the-scenes involvement from Moroccan authorities at the highest level — who likely urged U.S. State Department and White House officials to correct the record and prevent the kind of misinterpretations that could be exploited by the Algerian regime. Morocco knows that the current geopolitical environment presents a historic opportunity to settle the dispute once and for all, and it will not allow Algeria any openings to stall or weaken the momentum Morocco has built. In this light, Boulos's effort to clarify his earlier remarks was a positive development in itself, suggesting that the back-channel Morocco has likely established with the Trump team is functioning effectively and delivering concrete results. The swift response from the U.S. administration to dispel any doubts about its position indicates its commitment to a final resolution of the dispute — one based on the autonomy plan not as a starting point, but as the endgame. This position further reinforces a growing conviction within U.S. policymaking circles that Algeria — not the Polisario — is the main party to the conflict. And that, for the Algerian regime, represents a nightmare scenario: it has never before had to contend with a U.S. administration this determined to bring the dispute to a close in a manner that safeguards Morocco's full sovereignty over its southern provinces. Samir Bennis is the co-founder and publisher of Morocco World News. You can follow him on Twitter @SamirBennis.
Morocco World
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Western Sahara: Spain Renews Support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan
Rabat – Algeria's regime is enduring a new setback as maneuvers from pro-Polisario advocates in Spain continue to fail to reverse the European country's endorsement of the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as the most serious and credible basis to end the dispute over Western Sahara. Morocco's Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita visited Madrid as part of his European tour, with the Spanish government seizing this occasion to reiterate its support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan as a serious and credible political solution to end the dispute. During his visit, Bourita met with Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister Jose Manuel Albares, who said that Spain recognizes the importance of the Sahara issue for Morocco, highlighting Morocco's credible and serious efforts within the framework of the UN-led political process to reach a mutually acceptable political solution. Both Bourita and Albares also renewed their commitment to working together to boost bilateral ties between the two countries at all levels, including trade and security. The ministers also welcomed the numerous initiatives and high-level visits from their two countries, pledging to further deepen bilateral relations. Spain and Morocco are also satisfied with the progress made on joint projects as part of the campaign in preparation for the 230 World Cup with Portugal. The statement confirming the autonomy initiative as the most serious, realistic, and credible basis to resolve the dispute reflects the deepening international momentum in support of Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces. It comes as several countries in Europe hold the same position, including Estonia, Hungary, France, and Moldova, all of which have recently described Morocco's autonomy initiative as the most viable path to lasting and sustainable solution of the Sahara dispute. Beyond its support for the Autonomy Plan, France also recognized Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara in July 2024. Spain officially endorsed Morocco's autonomy initiative in 2022, a position that ended a year of political stalemate between the two countries following Madrid's unilateral decision to host Polisario leader Brahim Ghali for hospitalization. After months of dialogue, Spain and Morocco announced a new chapter of ties and a reconciliation strengthened by their position in favor of the Moroccan Sahara stance. Recently, pro-Polisario advocates – mainly Algerian-affiliated media – have resorted to sharing widespread disinformation about the Spanish government's potential change of heart on the Sahara dispute. But Spain's top diplomat responded with comments that reiterated Spain's support for the Moroccan stance, thus dealing another blow to Algeria's continued quest to undermine Morocco's territorial integrity. In addition to Spain and the other European countries that reaffirmed their unwavering position, the US also highlighted its unchanged position on April 8. Bourita visited Washington to meet with senior officials, including Secretary Marco Rubio who described Morocco's Autonomy Plan as the only feasible political solution for the Sahara dispute. Building on the first Trump administration's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara, Secretary Rubio's latest comments suggest that the current administration is determined to uphold and deepen the terms of the Sahara proclamation President Trump signed in December 2020.
Morocco World
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco No Longer Waits on UN Timeline to Drive its Own Western Sahara Momentum
Rabat – Morocco's recent diplomatic breakthroughs in the Western Sahara dossier and other strategic fronts have decisively put the North African kingdom in the driver seat regarding the future of the disputed region in its southern provinces. As more countries endorse its sovereignty over the territory, it is increasingly clear that the North African country is no longer waiting for the UN to set the pace. Instead, Rabat appears more determined than ever to continue shaping the international conversation on the dispute in its favor. This can be seen in the growing international consensus around the country's Autonomy Plan. Over the past few years, several countries have joined the deepening international chorus that views the Moroccan plan as the most viable route to a realistic and lasting solution to the lingering Sahara dispute. A source close to the dossier told Morocco World News (MWN) that Morocco has consolidated its position thanks to King Mohammed VI's leadership, which has led to major milestones on both the bilateral and multilateral fronts. 'The royal initiative has successfully generated a genuine movement in Europe and globally in favor of the Autonomy Initiative and support for Morocco's territorial integrity,' the source said. An ongoing international momentum Most recently, the US shut down Algeria's regime maneuvers seeking to challenge Morocco's territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces. Hiring lobbyists and using pro-Polisario advocates posing as human rights activists, Algeria's regime has long hoped to see the US administration reverse Trump's proclamation through which Washington recognized Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara. Following Trump's departure from the White House in 2021, Algeria invested considerably in advancing its pro-Polisario agenda but failed to convince the Biden administration to reverse the Trump proclamation on the Sahara. Now that Trump has taken over the US administration for a second term, his administration recently sent a direct blow to the Algerian regime by reaffirming Washington's unchanged and unwavering support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan as the only feasible political solution to the Sahara dispute. This deepening US position has been echoed across the globe, particularly in Europe. France, another permanent UN Security Council member, has joined the US in recognizing Morocco's territorial integrity in July. French President Emmanuel Macron recalled this position in a statement by the French Foreign Ministry, which said today that Paris' newsround position is unchangeable. This reaffirmation builds on Macron's earlier remarks that the present and future of Western Sahara fall within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty. The Foreign Ministry's statement followed the visit by Bourita to Paris, where he met with Jean Barrot. The visit came after Barrot's trip to Algiers to formalize reconciliation with Algeria. Bourita's work visit to France served as a platform to refute all of Algeria's false claims and disinformation campaign on the French position on Western Sahara, as pro-Polisario advocates hoped for a change of tone or a reversal against the Moroccan stance. In addition to France, at least 20 other European countries view the autonomy initiative as a serious and credible political solution to the Sahara conflict. The list of European countries that joined the growing list includes Finland, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Germany, and Spain, aligning with Belgium, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Hungary, Estonia, and Austria among others. The French and American reaffirmation of their unchangeable and unwavering position in favor of Morocco's territorial integrity coincides with the closed-door briefing at the UN Security Council by UN Envoy for Western Sahara Staffan de Mistura. Morocco leads the way at UNSC During his briefing, de Mistura gave a speech that highlighted a change of tone in favor of Morocco's autonomy initiative. The UN envoy notably recalled the recent statement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reaffirmed the US support for Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces. Meeting last week with Morocco's top diplomat Nasser Bourita, Rubio announced the US' readiness to facilitate efforts aimed at achieving 'genuine autonomy' and a 'mutually acceptable solution' in the Sahara dossier. De Mistura described this American position as echoing what he believes, calling for a discussion on the Autonomy initiative and asking for a detailed explanation of the Moroccan plan. According to the close source who talked to MWN about the ongoing developments in this complex dossier, Morocco has transferred April's annual UN envoy briefing to the UNSC into an 'opportunity for diplomatic leadership.' 'April, traditionally perceived as sensitive due to UN deadlines regarding the Sahara, is now a moment where Morocco sets a proactive agenda, leads discussions, and creates momentum,' the source said, adding that this demonstrates Morocco's growing diplomatic clout. Morocco's efforts also enabled the country to free itself, allowing it to dictate priorities and strengthen the international momentum in favor of its autonomy initiative, and it managed to mobilize support for its position worldwide. Tags: Algeria and the Western Saharaalgeria western sahara
Morocco World
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
De Mistura's Favorable Tone on Autonomy Plan Could Strike Nerve Among Pro-Polisario Advocates
Rabat – UN Envoy Staffan de Mistura has called for a detailed discussion on the Moroccan Autonomy Plan on Western Sahara, which has been receiving international consensus as the only feasible political solution to end the regional dispute. De Mistura briefed the UN Security Council on Western Sahara during a closed-door meeting on Monday, where he acknowledged diplomatic momentum, including the unwavering support for Morocco's autonomy initiative from major powers like the US. AFP quoted de Mistura's speech, in which he recalled the statements made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week during the visit of Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita to Washington. He notably recalled Rubio's reaffirmation of the US support for Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces, and the country's position in favor of the 'genuine autonomy' and a 'mutually acceptable solution' that the US is prepared to actively facilitate. De Mistura stressed that the US statements echo 'what I believe and what I am calling for – the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative must be explained in detail, and a clear meaning must be given to the prerogatives that would be granted to a truly autonomous Western Sahara.' The UN envoy stressed that the next three months should serve as an opportunity to confirm 'how this new momentum, based on renewed active engagement from some Council members, including permanent ones, can lead to regional de-escalation,' he said. The new statement reflects a remarkable shift in tone and a more engaged posture toward the Moroccan autonomy initiative. A call for detailed discussions suggests the envoy and the UN's willingness to move beyond the traditional approaches taken throughout the past decades, signaling that the international body is ready to engage with the autonomy initiative as a political framework. The UN Security Council and its permanent members have long emphasized the importance of the initiative as part of Morocco's efforts, describing it as a serious and credible political solution. However, de Mistrua's remarks show that Morocco's stance has become clearer and firmer, stressing that negotiations can only take place within the framework of the Moroccan autonomy initiative under Moroccan sovereignty over its southern provinces. Notably absent from reports on de Mistura's speech were references to self-determination or referendum, longstanding demands by the Polisario Front and its primary backer, Algeria. This omission is likely to strike another nerve among pro-Polisario supporters, who continue to push outdated claims to challenge Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara. Algeria's regime, which harbors the Polisario Front on its soil, received new blows to its maneuvers, with both the US and France reiterating their unchangeable and unwavering support for Morocco's territorial integrity. Last week, US Secretary Rubio explicitly stated that 'genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only feasible solution,' while pledging to facilitate progress toward this objective. The Secretary urged parties to 'engage in discussions without delay, using Morocco's Autonomy Proposal as the only framework to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution.' Lisa Kenna, US Under Secretary, reinforced her country's position during a meeting with de Mistura earlier this week, noting that the US position confirms the viability of the genuine autonomy under Mosotocco's sovereignty as the only feasible political solution to the dispute. France echoed the same stance in a statement today, with the Quai d'Orsay noting that France's position on Western Sahara is unchanged. France reiterated its position, recalling the letter Emmanuel Macron sent to King Mohammed VI in July last year, stating that 'the present and future of Western Sahara fall within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.' The Autonomy Initiative has received support from over 100 countries in the international community, viewing it as a good basis to put an end to the longstanding and prolonged regional dispute amid Algeria's reluctance to assume its responsibility or engage in the UN-led political process. Among other developments that de Mistura mentioned during the briefing was the short-lived reconciliation between France and Algeria. Tensions between the two countries have escalated due to Algeria's reluctance to accept the return of its nationals subject to deportation orders by Paris. The two countries had shown brief signs of improving ties, but tensions flared again when Algeria's regime ordered 12 staff members of the French embassy to leave its territory within 48 hours. This came after France detained a consulate agent in France on Saturday. De Mistura briefed the council on what he described as a normalization of ties between Paris and Algiers in early April. AFP, however, noted that tensions have since resurfaced between the two countries. De Mistura also recalled that no improvement in relations between Algeria and Morocco took place. Morocco has been calling on Algeria's regime to engage in a frank and direct dialogue under the King Mohammed VI initiative to tackle the political stalemate. Algeria, however, turned a deaf ear to the initiative and has long sought to undermine Morocco's territorial integrity through its unwavering support for the Polisario separatist claims. Beyond Western Sahara, Algeria's regime intensified accusations against Morocco, which prompted Algiers' decision to cut ties with Rabat in 2021. Tags: Algeria and the Western Saharastaffan de mistura
Ya Biladi
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Polisario pushes for SADC support as Morocco gains ground in Southern Africa
The Polisario Front's allies within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are rallying other member states to support the «decolonization and self-determination of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic», the Front's press agency reported on Thursday, April 3. This push is exemplified by the signing of a memorandum of understanding on April 2 between SADC's Executive Secretary, Elias M. Magosi, and the Polisario's representative in Botswana, Bah El Mad Abdellah, according to a statement from the regional bloc. «The goal is to implement decisions adopted by SADC heads of state and government in August 2019 and the Declaration of the SADC Solidarity Conference with the SADR held in March 2019 in Pretoria, South Africa», the statement said. The agreement comes about ten days after a call by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa—who currently chairs SADC— urging member states to defend «the decolonization of Western Sahara». It is worth noting that Morocco has made significant inroads within the SADC in recent years. The growing momentum in recognizing Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara has even reached the regional bloc. In December 2019, the Comoros opened a consulate in Laayoune, paving the way for other members seeking to distance themselves from South Africa's diplomatic stance. On October 27, 2020, Zambia—previously a supporter of the «SADR»—and Eswatini both opened diplomatic missions in Dakhla and Laayoune, respectively. The Democratic Republic of Congo followed in December 2020, establishing a consulate in Dakhla. Malawi took a similar step on June 21, 2021, with a consulate in Laayoune. This momentum has considerably weakened the SADC's pro-Polisario stance. At the latest African Union summit, held in February in Addis Ababa, Polisario allies failed to include the AU's traditional support for their cause in the final communiqué. In contrast, Morocco successfully advanced its position in the declaration of the 38th Union conclave.
