South Africa's recognition of 'SADR' not genuine surprise, Official

South Africa's recognition of the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) was "not a genuine surprise," commented Friday Moroccan minister-delegate for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri, saying there have been indicators in this sense for several years.

Pretoria announced Wednesday its decision to establish diplomatic relations with the alleged "SADR" that lays claims to Morocco's southern provinces, known as the Sahara. The north African country recalled its ambassador in South Africa for consultation in protest of this decision.

In an interview with Medi 1 Radio, Fihri disclosed that "intense contacts have been made in the latest weeks with the South African government," adding that Morocco has explained to Pretoria authorities that the recognition of "SADR" is "illegal because it is against the basic principles of international law concerning the recognition of States."

"Any country (É) cannot and should not act as a substitute to the Moroccan people that is unanimous over the Sahara question," he said.

South Africa's recognition of "SADR" is a "regrettable, anachronistic and against the international community's efforts," Fihri deplored.

Africa "hopes to unite, and not continue to be divided under the pretext of false slogans, hiding other ambitions and motivations," said the Moroccan official.

By recognizing "SADR," he added, South Africa has joined a minority group that excludes itself of contributing to the settlement of this question at the regional level.

On Friday, the Moroccan government deplored the stance of South Africa, underlining that Pretoria's decision was made at a time when several countries are withdrawing their recognition of the "phantom republic."

Several political parties also denounced the decision. The party of Justice and Development (PJD-Islamic party) said, in a release, this "cannot shake the Moroccan people's conviction of the righteousness of the cause of their territorial integrity and determination to consolidate national unity."

Several Moroccan political parties have urged South Africa to review its decision and withdraw its recognition of the alleged Sahrawi Republic.