South Africa’s Political Shift: Zuma’s Party Backs Moroccan Sovereignty in Western Sahara

"We are convinced that the relationship between South Africa and Morocco has immense potential. It is in this spirit that the MK party has proposed a constructive policy aimed at providing concrete solutions to the long-standing issue concerning the future of the Saharan region. The document published for this purpose by Mkondowe Sizwe, entitled ’Strategic Partnership for African Unity, Economic Emancipation and Territorial Integrity’, addresses the fundamental elements that could inject new momentum into bilateral relations, in the mutual interest of our two nations and with the ambition of serving as a model of African excellence," the MK party said in a statement read by Magasela Mzobe, Chairman of the International Relations Commission of this political formation, following a meeting in Rabat between Jacob Zuma, Nasser Bourita, Moroccan Foreign Minister, and himself.

Faced with the challenges of global geopolitics and the threats of balkanization aimed at weakening Africa, the South African party recalls that it has, since its creation, been committed to defending the sovereignty, unity and cohesion of African states. "This message resonates strongly in South Africa, where internal forces are trying to challenge our own territorial integrity. In this perspective, and taking into account the growing international and continental support for the autonomy proposal presented by Morocco in recent years, our party considers that this initiative guarantees substantial local governance while preserving Morocco’s essential sovereignty over the region. This approach offers a balanced way to promote peace, stability and sustainable development in the Sahara," affirms MK.

In this sense, Jacob Zuma’s party calls "the international community to support the Moroccan autonomy plan as a pragmatic and effective solution to guarantee the peace, stability and prosperity of the populations of Western Sahara." "Our party fully recognizes the historical and legal context that underlies Morocco’s claim to the Sahara, and considers that the efforts made by the Kingdom to fully restore its territorial integrity are in line with our common vision of a sovereign and united Africa," the same source continues. And to conclude: "This statement constitutes the official position of the Mkondowe Sizwe (MK) party, expressed on behalf of its President and our entire organization."