Jacob Zuma champions Morocco’s Sahara autonomy during Ghana lecture

Friday 22 August 2025 - 16:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Jacob Zuma champions Morocco’s Sahara autonomy during Ghana lecture

Former South African president Jacob Zuma has reignited debate over the Sahara dispute by publicly endorsing Morocco’s Autonomy Plan during a lecture at the University of Professional Studies in Accra, Ghana. His remarks sharply criticized the African National Congress (ANC) and Algeria-backed Polisario Front, further aligning himself with Morocco’s territorial integrity stance.

Zuma’s support for Morocco

Speaking before an audience in Accra, Zuma urged African nations to reject the fragmentation of the continent, calling attempts to balkanize Africa “a relic of foreign agendas.” He praised Ghana’s decision to support Morocco’s 2007 Autonomy Plan, describing it as a step toward stability and Pan-African unity. Zuma also highlighted South Africa’s growing ties with Ghana, which include agreements on trade, defense, agriculture, and ICT, as well as a visa waiver for ordinary passport holders.

His speech follows ongoing diplomatic shifts across Africa, with Ghana officially withdrawing its recognition of the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) earlier this year. This move aligns Ghana with over 120 countries supporting Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara.

Zuma applauded Morocco’s proposal as the only realistic solution to the decades-long territorial dispute, dismissing the Polisario Front’s separatist aspirations as outdated.

Tensions with the ANC

Zuma’s endorsement of Morocco puts him at odds with South Africa’s ANC government, which remains a staunch supporter of the Polisario Front. His pro-Morocco stance has drawn criticism from ANC loyalists, who accuse him of undermining the country’s foreign policy.

This is not Zuma’s first show of support for Morocco. In July, he visited Rabat and met with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, a move that angered South African officials. Despite facing backlash, Zuma defended his actions, asserting that the South African flag represents its citizens, not its government.

Waning support for Polisario

Zuma’s remarks come amid a broader decline in international support for Polisario. Since 2000, 46 countries, including 13 in Africa, have reversed their recognition of the SADR. Algeria, the Polisario’s main sponsor, has seen its regional influence weaken as nations like Ghana abandon the separatist cause.

Morocco’s Autonomy Plan has garnered backing from global powers such as the US, France, Spain, and the UK, further isolating the Polisario Front. Analysts suggest Zuma’s advocacy reflects growing frustration within South Africa and beyond with the ANC’s outdated alignment with the separatist group.

ANC’s countermeasures

In response to Zuma’s comments, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has doubled down on his support for Polisario, hosting its representatives at recent events, including the African Investment Summit on Water in Johannesburg. However, these efforts appear increasingly symbolic, as more African nations align with Morocco’s vision for the Sahara.

South Africa’s official recognition of the SADR in 2004, under President Thabo Mbeki, marked a turning point in its relations with Morocco. However, with the ANC’s influence waning and Zuma’s advocacy gaining traction, the Polisario Front faces mounting challenges in maintaining its relevance on the continent.