Japan’s Ambassador Seeks to Ease Morocco Tensions Over Polisario Presence at TICAD Summit

"There is no real crisis between the two countries, but things have deteriorated between Rabat and Tokyo since the last two editions of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) summit." The Polisario had participated in these meetings at the invitation of the African Union, Japan assures. The latter has reaffirmed that it does not recognize the separatist movement, but Morocco is having trouble believing it.

"Morocco wants a clear position that does not suffer half-measures," said an authorized source to Maghreb Intelligence.