Tunisian Ex-Diplomat Criticizes Polisario Leader’s Invitation to TICAD, Citing Morocco Tensions

"Our hopes have been and still are so great to see this TICAD act as a catalyst to promote cooperation with the entire African continent and especially between African countries in the process of mutually beneficial and necessary economic integration for our development. But a cold shower has hit us like a sledgehammer with this serious diplomatic incident with our brother Morocco," laments Samia Zouari in an op-ed published by Kapitalis.

She asks herself a thousand and one questions: "Did we have to invite the Polisario so lightly and thoughtlessly when the Western Sahara is not an independent state recognized by the UN? Why throw such a stone in the preparations for the 8th TICAD and needlessly hurt the Moroccan people and its leaders while putting Japan in an uncomfortable position when it had expressed its disagreement with this initiative beforehand?" The diplomat notes too much amateurism and blunders in her country’s current foreign policy. After the rift between certain allies and Tunisia, "now Morocco, a brother country that has never failed in our solidarity, feels insulted and trampled on by our so light position," fumes Samia Zouari. "Where are we going? Are these the individual positions of President Saïed or is he poorly advised by his family and professional entourage?" she questions.

"If all Tunisians are proud of the friendship and solidarity between Tunisia and Algeria, they are also convinced that they must be preserved, in the framework of mutual respect and not induce a satellization of Tunisia at the expense of its relations with another brother country," estimates the diplomat, adding that the role Tunisia could play is that of an honest and sincere intermediary for the necessary reconciliation between the two brother countries, Algeria and Morocco. "It is time, Mr. President, to stop the amateurism and listen to the advisers, foreign visitors, instead of indulging in magisterial monologues," concludes Samia Zouari.