Zuma's visit to Morocco sparks South African diplomatic protest

Wednesday 06 August 2025 - 14:45

On July 15, 2025, Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, welcomed former South African President Jacob Zuma in Rabat. Zuma, now leader of the Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK) party, expressed his party’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan regarding the Sahara, describing it as a proposal that safeguards Morocco’s sovereignty.

However, Zuma's visit has triggered a strong reaction from Pretoria. On August 6, South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) issued an official statement voicing “serious objection and concern” over the circumstances of Zuma’s visit. The government emphasized that Zuma, although a prominent figure, does not represent the official stance of the South African state.

In particular, DIRCO objected to the use of the South African national flag during Zuma’s meeting with Bourita, stating that such a gesture could be misinterpreted as an official engagement between states. “Displaying national symbols implies official endorsement, which was not the case in this instance,” the statement read.

DIRCO also criticized the diplomatic protocol, arguing that the presence of the flag at a meeting involving an opposition party leader constitutes a breach of established international diplomatic norms.

The Moroccan side, however, highlighted Zuma’s recognition of the historical and legal context supporting Morocco’s claim over the Sahara. Zuma noted that the autonomy plan offers “balanced governance” for the local population while preserving Morocco’s territorial integrity. He called on the international community to support the initiative as a path toward lasting peace and development in the region.

Despite the controversy, the meeting reflects a growing dialogue within African political movements regarding the Sahara issue, even as official positions between governments diverge.