Rabat – Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Harry Kalaba, welcomed Morocco’s return to the African Union Friday in Rabat and expressed his country’s total support of the Kingdom.
In a statement to the press following his talks with the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Nasser Bourita, the Zambian official stressed the importance of mutual support “in all areas.”
“It is in a spirit of fraternity that we hope that Morocco and Zambia will continue to work together for close cooperation,” he told members of the press.
The return of Morocco to its African institutional family is “an excellent thing,” said the minister. He added that Africa is willing to “work closely with Morocco,” who, in turn, will provide its “valuable contribution” to address the challenges facing the continent.
This return “will make Africa a better place and we expect the continent to be integrated and to be a continent of unity for the realization of the dreams of our people,” he insisted. The statement highlighted Morocco’s key role in promoting growth at the continental level.
He also praised the “robust” relations between the two countries, offering assurance that his country is working to further develop these ties to the benefit of the Moroccan and Zambian people.
What about the Sahara?
While Kalaba’s statements are promising, the minister has a history of offering support to Morocco and then acting to the contrary.Back in July, during a previous meeting with Bourita, Kalaba announced that his country no longer recognized the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. Then, in October, Zambian president Edgar Lumbu proceeded to state that his country remained committed to strengthening relations with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), according to the Lusaka Times.
Only a month later, Lungu received the president of Polisario, Brahim Ghali, for an official visit. It confirmed the resumption of diplomatic relations between SADR and Zambia. One month after this, Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra met with Kalaba, telling reporters at the end of their meeting that “Algeria and Zambia are on the same line in terms of solidarity with the peoples of Western Sahara and Palestine.”
A Possible Change of Heart
Following three months of busy activity between Zambia and Morocco’s neighbouring adversaries, Kalaba, once again confirmed Zambia’s withdrawal of recognition of the SADR.
“I reiterate my statement made in Rabat on 9 July 2016,” the Zambian minister told Maghreb Arab Press (MAP).
The official also recalled that “Zambia supports the efforts of the United Nations to reach a final solution to the regional dispute over Western Sahara.”
He added that “Zambia is indeed anxious to contribute constructively to these efforts, through a neutral position open to stakeholders and now an active dialogue.”
“So I reaffirm the position of Zambia,” concluded Kalaba, affirming that his country “considers that the return of Morocco to the African Union is an opportunity for the continental family to bring this question which has been unanswered for too long, towards an amicable solution in the African spirit of consensus, dialogue and mutual respect.”
