EWN South Africa
Jean-Jacques Cornish
PRETORIA – Morocco’s returning its ambassador to South Africa.
The new envoy will find Pretoria has become one of staunchest supporters of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic the Kingdom has illegally occupied for 40 years.
Morocco withdrew its ambassador to South Africa in protest when former President Thabo Mbeki’s government tied the diplomatic knot with the Western Sahara 12 years ago.
It took the democratic government in Pretoria 20 years to keep President Nelson Mandela’s promise to the Saharawi people.
South Africa’s made up for this by championing the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination and deploring Morocco’s occupation in defiance of the United Nations.
Morocco is wanting to mend fences with Africa – to the point of joining the African Union.
However, it appears to have no intention of recognising the Saharawi government.
The ambassador Rabat sent to Pretoria will have his work cut out maneuvering through this diplomatic obstacle course.
