Jacob Zuma arrived in Rabat on Tuesday, leading a delegation from his uMkhonto weSizwe party for discussions with Moroccan officials. The former South African president met with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita to address regional diplomatic matters. Zuma expressed approval for Morocco's 2007 autonomy proposal regarding the Sahara territory during their talks. His party views the plan as a practical framework for local governance while maintaining Moroccan sovereignty. The MK party leader emphasized historical connections between the two nations dating back to anti-apartheid efforts.
The South African politician highlighted Morocco's assistance to Nelson Mandela during the struggle for liberation against apartheid rule. Zuma noted that Mandela received military training and financial support from Morocco in 1962. His party recently published a policy document supporting Morocco's territorial claims over Western Sahara. The statement argues that the region belonged to Morocco before Spanish colonial intervention in the late 1800s. Zuma described the 1975 Green March as a peaceful decolonization movement that demonstrated historical bonds between Morocco and the Sahara.
The MK party recognizes growing international support for Morocco's autonomy proposal among African and global partners. Zuma previously met King Mohammed VI during a 2017 summit in Ivory Coast. That encounter strengthened bilateral relations between Morocco and South Africa. The former president called for international support of Morocco's efforts to maintain its territorial integrity. His party positions this stance as supporting African unity and principles of sovereignty.
The South African politician highlighted Morocco's assistance to Nelson Mandela during the struggle for liberation against apartheid rule. Zuma noted that Mandela received military training and financial support from Morocco in 1962. His party recently published a policy document supporting Morocco's territorial claims over Western Sahara. The statement argues that the region belonged to Morocco before Spanish colonial intervention in the late 1800s. Zuma described the 1975 Green March as a peaceful decolonization movement that demonstrated historical bonds between Morocco and the Sahara.
The MK party recognizes growing international support for Morocco's autonomy proposal among African and global partners. Zuma previously met King Mohammed VI during a 2017 summit in Ivory Coast. That encounter strengthened bilateral relations between Morocco and South Africa. The former president called for international support of Morocco's efforts to maintain its territorial integrity. His party positions this stance as supporting African unity and principles of sovereignty.
