Morocco recalls its ambassador after recognition of Sahrawi Republic by South Africa
Morocco-South Africa, Politics, 9/16/2004

Morocco has decided to recall its ambassador in Pretoria in protest against the "biased, stunning and ill-timed" recognition of the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic "SADR" by South Africa.

A communique released, on Wednesday, by the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation said the Kingdom deplores this decision and "voices disappointment" over the new foreign policy of South Africa.

The so-called SADR was proclaimed by the Algeria-backed separatist movement "Polisario" which is claiming sovereignty over the Moroccan Southern provinces known as Sahara. Morocco retrieved the former Spanish colony in 1975 under the Madrid Accords signed with Spain and Mauritania.



Here follows the full text of the Communique:



"The Kingdom of Morocco deplores the decision, announced today by South Africa, to recognize the so-called "SADR" and expresses disappointment over the new foreign policy of the South-African government.

The Kingdom of Morocco would like to recall on this occasion the pioneer support it has continuously provided to the legitimate struggle of the South African people for its dignity and freedom. The Kingdom expressed this support, in a sincere and committed manner, and in response to a duty of brotherhood and justice toward the brotherly south African people.

The decision, made public today by the south African Ministry of Foreign affairs, is partial, stunning and ill-timed.

Under the cloak of defending the principle of the self-determination Right, south African authorities decide today to recognize a so-called State that lacks all characteristics of sovereignty, prejudging, thus, the will of the populations who are directly concerned, and scorning, at the same time, the principle which south African authorities are supposed to serve.

The south African government ignores voluntarily through this act thousands of genuine Sahrawis who are clinging to their Moroccan identity, which they have been fully enjoying on all levels for several decades.

In addition, this decision is in contradiction with the efforts currently exerted by the United Nations aiming to find a just and realistic solution that is accepted by all concerned parties in this conflict that was artificially created in the north African region.

Instead of accompanying the International Community's ongoing efforts, South Africa has chosen, for inexplicable reasons- at least in this framework- to align itself with a final and biased stance that contradicts the legitimate and unanimous aspirations of the Moroccan people as well as the high interests of the Kingdom.

Nevertheless, the South African government had recently taken the initiative to encourage international efforts after it made a proposal to host a meeting dedicated to this question in Pretoria.

The date of September 6-7 proposed to this aim could not be kept, since it coincided with the first tour in the region of the Personal Representative of the UN Secretary General, Alvaro De Soto, whose mandate has recently been expanded by Mr. Kofi Annan, to include the mission of facilitating the search for a political solution that is mutually accepted.

South African authorities adopt a biased stance that contradicts the international trend at a time when a strong move denouncing the recognition of the so-called SADR has emerged in the past years throughout the world, in accordance with international law and UN efforts.

For all these considerations, Moroccan authorities have decided to recall the ambassador of His Majesty the King in Pretoria for consultation, in order to assess this decision that was made by a country that joins today a minority group of States that have adopted a similar biased stance over this issue."

Previous Stories:
  King wishes to develop strategic partnership with re-elected president mbeki   (4/24/2004)
  South Africa's Mbeki urges quick settlement of Sahara issue   (2/15/2003)
  Human rights minister presents King Mohammed' condolences to South Africa's Mbeki over father's demise   (9/8/2001)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search