Morocco reaffirms its African commitment as separatist entity excluded from FOCAC
The Forum on Sino-African Cooperation (FOCAC), held on June 11-12 in Changsha, China, has reaffirmed that the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) lacks legitimacy and a role in Sino-African cooperation frameworks. This event, like previous editions including the Beijing Summit in September 2024, featured only sovereign African states recognized by the international community, alongside China and the African Union Commission.
The absence of the SADR aligns with China’s long-standing position that only fully sovereign nations can participate in international cooperation. This recurrent exclusion counters unfounded claims regarding the SADR's involvement in Africa's strategic partnerships, confirming its absence in any united Africa or in international relations grounded in legitimacy and state sovereignty.
Celebrating a quarter-century of pan-African engagement, the forum highlighted Morocco’s role as a catalyst for continental cooperation under the guidance of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
The Moroccan delegation, led by Omar Kadiri, Director of Asian and Oceania Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and including Ambassador Abdelkader El Ansari, underscored Morocco’s commitment to FOCAC and collaboration with China for the benefit of Africa. In line with His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s directives, Morocco prioritizes cooperation and solidarity with Africa as part of its strategy for sustainable development through beneficial South-South cooperation.
Morocco has initiated various royal projects aimed at enhancing regional trade and integration, including providing Sahel countries access to the Atlantic Ocean and advancing the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, which symbolizes continental energy integration.
This exclusion occurs amid significant shifts in diplomatic dynamics concerning the Sahara dispute. In July 2024, the African Union's Executive Council overwhelmingly voted to bar the separatist group from engagements with international partners, a decision reflecting a pivotal shift in the AU's stance toward the movement.
Political analyst Oualid Kebir interpreted Algeria's reaction to the decision as an acknowledgment of a diplomatic defeat. This development coincides with increasing international support for Morocco’s 2007 Autonomy Plan as the viable path to resolving the conflict, a plan endorsed by numerous UN resolutions over nearly two decades.
The European Union has also explicitly rejected the SADR entity, with a spokesperson affirming that “neither the EU nor any of its Member States recognize the SADR.” This position remains unchanged, regardless of the SADR's presence at international meetings.
Morocco’s territorial integrity continues to gain momentum, as the UK recently joined a coalition of 120 countries supporting Morocco’s Autonomy Plan. As Morocco approaches the 50th anniversary of the Green March on November 6, optimism grows regarding the definitive resolution of this regional dispute, potentially putting an end to Algeria's fabricated conflict and its proxy state.
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