Sahara: Pretoria’s plot against Morocco’s territorial integrity foiled by Malawi & several SADC countries

South Africa has shown once more its hostility to Morocco’s territorial integrity in connivance with the Algerian military regime by trying to deceive member countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and drag them into supporting Polisario, Algeria-backed armed militias.

But all their plots and manipulations have failed and blew up on their faces, prompting backlash and indignation. On April 2, Mr. Alias Mogasi (Botswana), Executive Secretary of SADC, which comprises 16 member states, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Polisario, prompting anger and widespread protest from SADC countries that denounced a move made without prior consultation or approval.

Several SADC countries do not recognize the Polisario or withdrew recognition of the terror separatist group. These countries include Comoros, Zambia, Eswatini, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Malawi. They have also opened general consulates in Dakhla or Laayoune, a diplomatic move confirming their recognition of the Moroccanness of the Sahara.

In a verbal note addressed to SADC Executive Secretary and regional bloc, Malawi said the MoU signed with Polisario without collective mandate or endorsement violates SADC constitutive treaty and its charter.

The null & void document was denounced by several capitals of the region. They condemned a unilateral approach contrary to the intergovernmental principles governing regional institutions.

SADC is made of Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The member countries pledge to foster socioeconomic, political and security cooperation and regional integration for shared peace, stability and prosperity.