Senegal's Wade pledges to work for Morocco's return to Organization of African Unity
Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 6/1/2000

President Abdoulay Wade of Senegal deplored Morocco's withdrawal from the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and pledged to endeavor for the kingdom's return to the continental organization.

"I deeply deplore Morocco's absence from the OAU and I will endeavor for its return," the Senegalese head of state said Thursday in a statement to MAP at the end of a three-day official visit to Morocco.

"Without Morocco, something is missing at the OAU. Morocco must return to the organization, and it is up to us to discuss with the kingdom so that it resumes its seat," President Wade said, adding, "at a time we speak of the African union, how can we conceive this union without Morocco?"

Morocco withdrew from the OAU in 1984 following the illegal admission of the so-called "Sahrawi Republic" (SADR), self-proclaimed by the polisario, with the political backing of neighboring Algeria and the leverage of former OAU Secretary-General, Edem Kodjo (Togo), who was known for his hostility to Morocco.

Several African countries have withdrawn recognition of the puppet "SADR" and called for Morocco's return to the OAU.

President Wade recalled that the Casablanca conference was a major encounter in preparing African peoples to independence and unity and played a key role in this respect.

"Let's not lose hope. All the issues must be tabled for discussion," he said underlining that he knew very well all the conditions set forth by Rabat to resume its seat within the pan-African organization.

"My party, the Senegalese Democratic Party, was at the time the first party in Africa to establish relations with the Polisario. Today the world has changed and we have taken into account a number of new factors," he said.

For the Senegalese head of state, Africa's interest commends today the holding of "a popular referendum that does not exclude any Sahrawi, for, there is no other way to decide than the referendum. And such is the wish of the international community."

The United Nations is trying to hold a referendum in the Sahara --a Moroccan southern territory that was formerly under Spanish rule and that was retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid accords.

The vote, which will give the people of the Sahara a choice between independence or integration with Morocco, has been repeatedly delayed because of the maneuvers of the separatist polisario which seeks to shrink the voters list.

However, President Wade insisted, "I am at the side of Morocco and Senegal is at the side of Morocco."

He stated further that the settlement of the Sahara issue "cannot progress unless there is a direct dialogue between Morocco and Algeria." He wondered why the two countries' leaders, or at least delegations from the two countries, would not sit around a table to discuss and see what can be done."

Alluding to the recent meeting held in London between the parties to the Sahara issue under the aegis of UN secretary general's special envoy for the Sahara, James Baker, President Wade said "it is a good thing to go through James Baker and the United nations and it is better than doing nothing, but I think that the dossier will make big strides if a Moroccan delegation meets an Algerian delegation, in the presence of a third person, if necessary."

President Wade who paid from May 29 through June 1st an official visit to Morocco- his first ever official visit to a foreign country-held two rounds of talks in Marrakech with King Mohammed VI and co-chaired with the sovereign a working session attended by the two countries' delegations.

He equally met the Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi and the speakers of the two houses of the Moroccan parliament, as well as Moroccan businessmen.

After Marrakesh and Rabat, President Wade and his party-- including foreign affairs minister Sheikh Tidiane Gadio, family and solidarity minister Aminata Tall and several advisers-made a trip Wednesday to the kingdom's spiritual capital, Fez, where he performed pilgrimage at the Zaouia of Sidi Ahmed Tidjani, founder of the Tidjane confraternity who spread the sufism philosophy throughout Africa.

President Wade left Morocco this Thursday heading for Tripoli for talks with the Libyan Leader, Muammar Kaddafi.

Previous Stories:
  President Wade and Premier Youssoufi probe cooperation   (5/31/2000)
  Morocco and Senegal want new approach to co-development   (5/30/2000)
  President Wade of Senegal on official visit to Morocco   (5/29/2000)

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