Doha – A significant internal division has emerged within South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) over its diplomatic relations with Morocco, as evidenced by recent protests outside the party’s headquarters and the submission of a compelling memorandum advocating for stronger bilateral ties with the kingdom.
On December 4, demonstrators gathered outside the ANC’s Luthuli House in Johannesburg, protesting the party’s recent sanctioning of provincial leader Obed Bapela.
The party removed Bapela from his position as deputy chair and member of the ANC’s International Relations subcommittee following his October visit to Morocco, where he met with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.
The protest, led by activist Teboho Maake, highlighted growing dissatisfaction with the ANC’s current diplomatic approach toward Morocco.
“We are dissatisfied over the ANC’s stance against Morocco, and there exists an urgent need for clarity on how we plan to develop our bilateral relationships with them,” Maake stated during the demonstration.
In a related development, several ANC sections submitted a memorandum to the party’s secretariat, explicitly calling for the recognition of Morocco’s historical support during South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle.
The document emphasized that Morocco provided crucial assistance to the ANC’s liberation movement, including military and financial support, before Algeria’s independence.
The memorandum specifically highlighted Nelson Mandela’s acknowledgment of Morocco’s pioneering support, noting that freedom fighters from both the Algerian Liberation Army and the ANC, including Mandela himself, received training in Morocco. It also noted Morocco’s role in facilitating the establishment of the ANC’s military wing, “uMKhonto WeSizwe.”
Moreover, the memorandum outlined Morocco’s political support through hosting the ANC’s office and its instrumental role during the creation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), of which Morocco was a founding member following the Casablanca Conference.
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This historical context adds weight to the protesters’ demands for diplomatic reassessment.
Regarding the Western Sahara dispute, the memorandum pointed to significant international support for Morocco’s position, stating that “more than 110 countries members of the United Nations support” the Moroccan autonomy initiative.
The document also emphasized that the majority of African countries recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces.
The protesters urged South Africa to align with the recent UN Security Council Resolution 2756, adopted on October 30, which calls for negotiations between Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the Polisario Front in a spirit of compromise.
The ANC’s disciplinary action against Bapela stemmed from his October 7 meeting in Rabat, where he advocated for strengthening economic ties between South Africa and Morocco and invited Moroccan investment in South Africa.
The party leadership viewed this as contradicting its established policies, leading to his removal from key positions.
The current situation reveals a growing rift within the ANC regarding its foreign policy direction.
An August report from the South African Institute for Security Studies (ISS) suggests international support for the separatist Polisario Front is declining, noting the movement is “gradually but steadily losing ground” as major global players, including the United States, Spain, and France, back Morocco’s Autonomy Plan.
Party spokesperson Shupinyane ka Ndaba’s response to the protests remained noncommittal, stating: “I am not aware of the protesters as I was not at the office today. However, I have escalated your query and would revert as soon as I have all the details.”
The memorandum also called for distinguishing between the Western Sahara issue and the Palestinian cause, noting that “Palestine itself supports Morocco and does not recognize the Sahrawi.”
It further emphasized that maintaining confusion between these distinct issues “weakens the much-needed support and unity.”
This internal division within the ANC shows broader shifts in African diplomacy regarding Morocco, as more countries on the continent recognize Morocco’s territorial integrity and seek stronger economic partnerships with the North African country.
