The Polisario Front is now facing the fact that more and more world powers are coming out in support of Morocco’s position on Western Sahara.
Rabat – The leader of the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), Ibrahim Ghali, has his expressed frustration after Japan made clear its unwavering position on the Western Sahara conflict.
Last week, at the 7th Tokyo International Conference on Development in Africa (TICAD VII), Japan made clear its ongoing support for Morocco’s territorial integrity . During the symposium, the Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister, Taro Kono, reiterated Japan’s position, stating that Japan does not recognize the self-proclaimed SADR as a state.
The minister added that the presence of the Polisario at the international event does not in any way affect Japan’s view.
Ghali reacted to the statement from the Japanese minister, saying; “Japan should be neutral regarding the conflict in Western Sahara, and refrain from showing any sort of support to the Moroccan illegal occupation of parts of the national territory of the Sahrawi Republic.”
He also said that the strong ties between Japan and Morocco should not push Japan to enter into “illegal agreements with Morocco,” referring to the EU-Morocco fisheries deal.
The Polisario Front claims that the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement is not legal, despite it being approved by the United Nations and the European Union.
Morocco has been firm that no agreements should be made without the inclusion of its southern provinces in Western Sahara.
In January, the EU and Morocco signed the fisheries agreement. The agreement covers the fishing area from parallel 35 to parallel 22, from Cap Spartel in northern Morocco to Cap Blanc in southern Morocco, including the waters off Western Sahara.
Morocco’s government informed the UN when the agreement was signed.
This latest disappointment for the Polisario leadership comes after several long-time supporters of Polisario claims, including El Salvador, have withdrawn their recognition of the self-proclaimed SADR.
Japan’s statement of support for Morocco’s territorial integrity follows a publication from the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) which said, on August 11, that Trump’s administration will not back the creation of another state in southern Morocco.
