Western Sahara: South Africa’s ANC Sanctions Senior Member Over Morocco Visit

Doha – South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC), a staunch supporter of the separatist Polisario Front, has taken disciplinary action against one of its senior members following his recent visit to Morocco.

The political party has relieved Obed Bapela of his duties as Deputy Chairperson and member of the ANC National Executive Committee Sub-committee on International Relations.

In an official statement released on October 11, the ANC announced, “To this end, the ANC wishes to advise that Cde Obed Bapela has been relieved of his duties as Deputy Chairperson, and as a member of the ANC NEC Sub-committee on International Relations.”

The party further stated that Bapela’s case would be referred to the Chief National Presenter for potential disciplinary action, citing his failure to “comply and implement resolutions of the ANC 55th National Conference and preceding conference resolutions on Western Sahrawi” as the reason for this decision.

The party’s controversial decision stems from Bapela’s meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita on October 7 in Rabat.

During this encounter, Bapela reportedly called for strengthening economic ties between South Africa and Morocco, and invited Moroccan companies to invest in South Africa. He also expressed support for Morocco’s return to the African Union.

The ANC statement described the party as “deeply concerned” by media reports of Bapela leading a “supposedly South African delegation” to meet with the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The party emphasized that this meeting contradicted “the ANC’s longstanding policies and principles regarding Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahara.”

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula stated, “Senior cadres are expected to act with revolutionary morality and discipline, understanding the sensitivity and significance of their roles at all times.”

This incident is not the first time the ANC has reacted strongly to engagement with Morocco.

In 2017, former President Jacob Zuma faced scrutiny from the party after meeting with King Mohammed VI during an African Union-European Union summit in Abidjan.

Despite the controversy, that meeting was described as “warm and open” by Moroccan state media, with both leaders agreeing to work towards improved bilateral relations.

While Morocco maintained normal relations with South Africa following the end of Apartheid in 1994, the situation changed dramatically in September 2004.

At that time, South Africa decided to recognize the Polisario’s self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and establish diplomatic relations with the separatist group.

Since then, South Africa has become, alongside Algeria, one of the few staunchest supporters of the Polisario and its independence claims over Western Sahara.

For the past 20 years, Algiers and Pretoria have consistently attempted to undermine Morocco’s efforts to achieve a mutually acceptable political solution to the dispute, in line with relevant Security Council resolutions adopted since 2007.

The ANC’s hard-line stance on the Western Sahara dispute contrasts with shifting global perspectives and reveals growing fractures within the party.

A recent report from the South African Institute for Security Studies (ISS) suggests that support for the Polisario Front may be waning internationally.

The think tank noted that the movement is “gradually but steadily losing ground” in its conflict with Morocco, citing growing international backing for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for the Sahara region.

The ISS report highlighted the recognition of Morocco’s position by key global players, including the United States, Spain, and France.

It also pointed to an “erosion of support” for the self-proclaimed SADR within the African Union, with several African states either withdrawing or freezing their recognition in recent years.

Despite these shifting dynamics, the ANC’s recent actions demonstrate its unwavering support for the Polisario Front’s claims.

The party reaffirmed its “principled and long-standing position of solidarity with the people of Western Sahara” and its commitment to “anti-colonialism and the right to self-determination.”