Western Sahara Out of AU Summit Agenda Despite Algerian Lobbying

Rabat – Algeria’s regime is receiving further setbacks at the continental level as the African Union continues to disregard the Western Sahara dispute despite lobbying attempts.

“The agenda for this session was also characterized by the absence of the issue of the Moroccan Sahara, much to the dismay of those who oppose the Kingdom’s territorial integrity,” Moroccan news agency MAP wrote today, noting that the organization has notably reaffirmed its position to focus efforts on addressing urgent and priority issues for Africa.

This reflects the AU’s break away from its usage as a platform serving narrow agendas and “unhealthy political ambitions of some,” the news agency continued.

Algeria has for decades attempted to bypass the UN-led political process to revive the negative role that the AU played before Morocco’s return to the African Union in 2017.

For years, Algerian diplomats and officials have attempted to use the African Union as a platform to lobby for Polisario’s independence claims in Western Sahara to undermine Morocco’s territorial integrity.

Morocco’s return after 33 years of absence has been a game-changer in the dispute as the North African country has been active in defending its interest and thwarting Algeria’s regime maneuvers against Morocco’s foreign policy and territorial integrity.

The African Union has been reiterating support for the UN-led political process and its exclusive mandate to work towards finding a mutually agreed upon political solution to the dispute.

The AU merely reiterates this commitment, stressing its readiness to provide effective support to all initiatives and actions taken under the auspices of the UN to find a solution to the dispute.

The support is in accordance with the AU resolution 693 adopted at the Nouakchott Summit in July 2018, recognizing the centrality of the UN Security Council in diplomatic efforts in Western Sahara.

Morocco’s delegations and representatives have also been reiterating this position at the AU, noting that the country’s stance has been clear from the start that the dispute should be solved within the framework of the UN auspices.

In 2021, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita made a strong statement against Algeria’s attempts to make the Sahara dispute part of the AU agenda.

The AU’s Troika is not a mechanism for managing or arbitrating the issue of Western Sahara, he argued, stressing that Morocco “considers that the conduct of this mechanism under the previous South African presidency of the AU was not appropriate because of its partial and non-objective position.

South Africa is among the few AU countries that back Polisario’s claims and Algeria’s support for separatism to challenge Morocco’s territorial integrity.

Bourita lashed out at both Algeria and South Africa, noting that there have been instances when the AU served the agenda of certain diplomats and not the continent’s agenda.

“All those who want to involve the AU in this issue will systematically find Morocco’s diplomacy mobilized,” Bourita concluded.

At the ongoing summit, Morocco took part in different conferences and events covering a wide range of topics, including the AU Peace and Security Council on the situation in Sudan.

During the event, the council endorsed Morocco’s proposal for a humanitarian ceasefire during the holy month of Ramadan to allow unrestricted and non-discriminatory access to humanitarian aid.

Morocco also participated in other high-level meetings, including one on health financing. The country’s contributions to the AU have been commended in different platforms, including King Mohammed VI’s leadership on migration issues.

Morocco also held several strategic positions within the AU, including being a member of the Peace and Security Council for two terms from 2018-2020 and from 2022-2025.

On Sunday, Morocco reaffirmed its commitment to continental peace and security as well as sustainable development across Africa.

The Moroccan delegation also reiterated what they presented as Rabat’s deep-seated belief that a strictly military security approach is not sufficient on its own to address the continent’s challenges.

The North African kingdom also highlighted its principled position against interference as well as for respecting the fundamental principles of good neighborliness, dialogue, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries.

The delegation also called for the avoidance of harboring or encouraging terrorist and separatist groups that threaten the stability of African regions.