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Doha – In a swift series of diplomatic rebuffs, multiple Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states have firmly rejected the controversial Memorandum of Understanding signed on April 2 between the SADC Executive Secretariat and the so-called “Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic” (SADR).
The agreement, orchestrated by South Africa without prior consultation or authorization from SADC members, has triggered an unprecedented wave of condemnation within the regional bloc.
Malawi led the charge with an unambiguous diplomatic note declaring that it “does not recognize the said memorandum of understanding between SADC and the ‘SADR’ as a binding commitment and, consequently, the Republic of Malawi is not in any way obliged to comply with its provisions.”
Going further, Lilongwe reaffirmed “its unwavering support for the Autonomy Plan as a pragmatic solution” to the Sahara issue, delivering a clear message against South African political manipulation within SADC.
Zambia followed suit in a note addressed to Morocco’s embassy in Lusaka on April 8, “explicitly rejecting the memorandum of understanding” and describing it as “non-binding.”
The Zambian government reinforced its “unequivocal” support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative, calling it the “only credible, serious, and realistic solution” to the regional dispute.
The Union of the Comoros voiced its disapproval directly to the SADC Executive Secretariat in a note dated April 7, expressing “astonishment” at the signing and emphasizing that the Sahara issue falls exclusively under the jurisdiction of the UN Security Council and Secretary-General.
Invoking Article 5 of the SADC Constitutive Charter, which restricts the organization’s actions to the Southern African region, the Comorian government warned that “SADC’s interference in the Sahara issue risks undermining the credibility of our regional organization.”
Most recently, Eswatini joined the growing chorus of opposition, stating in its official verbal note that it “does not consider the Memorandum of Understanding between the Southern African Development Community and the so-called Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic to be a binding agreement.”
The kingdom doubled down on its “unwavering support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco” while reaffirming its commitment to Morocco’s territorial integrity.
Polisario in freefall
The mounting diplomatic backlash delivers a sharp rebuke to the separatist entity — an apparatus propped up, funded, and militarily trained by Algeria. The eastern neighbor’s regime has long provided territory, financial backing, and diplomatic cover to the separatist group.
According to international legal experts, the Polisario operates under Algeria’s “agent control,” with the separatist militia functioning essentially as a state organ of Algeria.
In a policy brief published by the Policy Center for the New South last January, Matsumoto Shoji argues that “the responsibility for internationally wrongful acts actually committed by the Polisario on behalf of Algeria is attributable to Algeria.”
Meanwhile, the Polisario maintains that the right to self-determination is “non-negotiable,” while Algeria persistently claims it “is not a party to the Sahara Issue” despite evidence to the contrary.
Michael Rubin, writing for the Middle East Forum, urged the UN to end its recognition of the Polisario, calling it “a vestige of the Cold War.” He emphasized that no Sahrawis ever elected the group, which continues to monopolize representation while rejecting democratic alternatives like the MSP.
The Hudson Institute’s April analysis exposed the Polisario as a destabilizing, Iran-aligned militia rooted in terrorism, trafficking, and youth indoctrination. It unmasked Algeria’s strategic sponsorship and arms transfers via Iran’s IRGC, warning that the group’s activities directly threaten US interests and regional stability in the Sahel.
Each of the SADC members rejecting the agreement — Malawi, Zambia, Comoros, and Eswatini — has opened consulates in either Dakhla or Laayoune, demonstrating concrete recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara.
Only the Democratic Republic of Congo, which also maintains a consulate in Laayoune since December 2020, has yet to publicly denounce the deal.
The unraveling of the SADC-Polisario protocol exposes a crumbling Cold War relic, as an increasing number of Southern African nations distance themselves from South Africa’s outdated alignment.
This growing dissent reflects a broader rejection of Pretoria’s attempts to impose an anachronism of ideological proxy battles on contemporary Africa, with states now gravitating instead toward a pragmatic, internationally-backed resolution under Moroccan sovereignty.
As this diplomatic crisis unfolds, the credibility of SADC stands at stake, with member states increasingly unwilling to accept procedural violations or politically motivated maneuvers concerning issues beyond the organization’s regional mandate.
Read also: South Africa’s Ruling ANC Split Deepens as Members Rally for Morocco Ties
