Former South African President Jacob Zuma recently visited Morocco and expressed support for their plan for Western Sahara.
Western Sahara is a territory in North Africa which was handed from Spain to Morocco after decolonization.
There is a pro-independence movement in Western Sahara which considers Morocco a colonial occupier. It is backed by Algeria. In South Africa, the ANC and EFF support this movement and call for a referendum on independence for Western Sahara. South Africa’s diplomatic relations with Morocco have been strained as a result, but the ANC feel quite strongly about this.
Zuma is now the leader of the largest opposition party in the country, MKP. In a rejection of the ANC’s position, he has embraced Morocco and their plan to grant Western Sahara autonomous governance under Moroccan sovereignty instead of independence. This has earned him scorn and criticism as a “sellout” from the ANC and EFF.
The article posted presents a position which is sympathetic to Morocco. It argues that the ANC need to reconsider the reality of the situation, and that Western Sahara is not Gaza, and that the plan could be viable. Maybe Zuma is being practical and realistic.
Domestically, this story is actually important. It drives a serious wedge between ANC and MKP. In most of their rhetoric about the issue, the ANC see it as being in the same box of issues as Palestine. For the “anti-colonial” faction of the ANC, it will be that much harder to work with MKP in future because they have “sold out” like this.
Lastly, always remember that Jacob Zuma is the most intelligent politician in South Africa. He has a consistent and clear vision of the world, just like Helen Zille and Julius Malema. I am still finding the words to describe it. But there is a statement Zuma is making about his own political ideals by endorsing Morocco’s plan.
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Former South African President Jacob Zuma recently visited Morocco and expressed support for their plan for Western Sahara.
Western Sahara is a territory in North Africa which was handed from Spain to Morocco after decolonization.
There is a pro-independence movement in Western Sahara which considers Morocco a colonial occupier. It is backed by Algeria. In South Africa, the ANC and EFF support this movement and call for a referendum on independence for Western Sahara. South Africa’s diplomatic relations with Morocco have been strained as a result, but the ANC feel quite strongly about this.
Zuma is now the leader of the largest opposition party in the country, MKP. In a rejection of the ANC’s position, he has embraced Morocco and their plan to grant Western Sahara autonomous governance under Moroccan sovereignty instead of independence. This has earned him scorn and criticism as a “sellout” from the ANC and EFF.
The article posted presents a position which is sympathetic to Morocco. It argues that the ANC need to reconsider the reality of the situation, and that Western Sahara is not Gaza, and that the plan could be viable. Maybe Zuma is being practical and realistic.
You can read a more critical/cynical take [here](https://issafrica.org/iss-today/morocco-s-alleged-dollar-diplomacy-is-yielding-dividends), which accuses Morocco of “dollar diplomacy” and alleges financial gain was the motive for Zuma’s policy shift.
Domestically, this story is actually important. It drives a serious wedge between ANC and MKP. In most of their rhetoric about the issue, the ANC see it as being in the same box of issues as Palestine. For the “anti-colonial” faction of the ANC, it will be that much harder to work with MKP in future because they have “sold out” like this.
Lastly, always remember that Jacob Zuma is the most intelligent politician in South Africa. He has a consistent and clear vision of the world, just like Helen Zille and Julius Malema. I am still finding the words to describe it. But there is a statement Zuma is making about his own political ideals by endorsing Morocco’s plan.