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South African Ruling Party Ousts Senior Member Over Morocco Visit, Highlighting Sahara Tensions

Monday 14 - 17:20

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The African National Congress (ANC), South Africa's ruling party, has taken decisive action against one of its senior members following a controversial visit to Morocco. This move underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding the Sahara dispute and reveals potential fractures within the party's stance on international relations.

Obed Bapela, formerly the Deputy Chairperson of the ANC National Executive Committee Sub-committee on International Relations, has been relieved of his duties. The party cited his failure to adhere to ANC resolutions regarding Sahara as the primary reason for this disciplinary measure. The decision came in the wake of Bapela's meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat on October 7.

During his visit, Bapela reportedly advocated for stronger economic ties between South Africa and Morocco, even extending invitations to Moroccan companies to invest in South Africa. He also expressed support for Morocco's return to the African Union, a stance that directly contradicts the ANC's long-held position on the Sahara conflict.

The ANC has long been a staunch supporter of the Polisario Front, a separatist movement seeking independence for Sahara from Morocco. This support has been a cornerstone of the party's foreign policy since South Africa recognized the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in 2004. Alongside Algeria, South Africa has consistently backed the Polisario's claims and opposed Morocco's sovereignty over the region.

However, the ANC's unwavering stance appears increasingly at odds with shifting global perspectives on the Sahara issue. A recent report from the South African Institute for Security Studies (ISS) suggests that international support for the Polisario Front may be waning. The think tank noted growing backing for Morocco's Autonomy Plan for the Sahara region among key global players, including the United States, Spain, and France.

The report also highlighted an "erosion of support" for the SADR within the African Union itself, with several African states either withdrawing or freezing their recognition in recent years. This changing landscape poses a challenge to the ANC's long-held position and raises questions about the party's ability to adapt to evolving geopolitical realities.

Despite these shifts, the ANC has reaffirmed its "principled and long-standing position of solidarity with the people of Sahara" and its commitment to "anti-colonialism and the right to self-determination." This steadfast approach, however, may be creating tensions within the party, as evidenced by Bapela's actions and subsequent dismissal.

The incident also recalls a similar controversy in 2017 when former President Jacob Zuma faced scrutiny from the ANC after meeting with King Mohammed VI of Morocco. These recurring conflicts suggest a growing disconnect between the party's official stance and the practical realities of international diplomacy.

As the Sahara dispute continues to evolve, the ANC's recent actions highlight the complex interplay between historical allegiances and changing global dynamics. The party's response to Bapela's Morocco visit not only reaffirms its support for the Polisario Front but also raises questions about the future of South Africa's foreign policy in an increasingly multipolar world.

This situation serves as a microcosm of the broader challenges facing political parties as they navigate longstanding ideological commitments in the face of shifting geopolitical landscapes. As the debate over Sahara continues, the ANC's ability to reconcile its principles with pragmatic diplomacy will likely remain under scrutiny both domestically and internationally.