A Historic and Well-Argued Stance
In an official document, the MK Party, now the third-largest political force in the country with 58 seats in Parliament, stated unequivocally, “Western Sahara was an integral part of Morocco long before Spanish colonization in the late 19th century.” The party emphasized that “Morocco’s recovery of this territory in 1975 is a legitimate act of restoring its territorial integrity.”
This statement marks a sharp break from South Africa’s traditional stance, which has long aligned with Algeria’s position on the issue. The MK Party justified its shift by pointing to the “undeniable historical and legal context” backing Morocco’s claims.
The Autonomy Plan: An African Solution
Zuma’s party notably endorsed Morocco’s Autonomy Plan, describing it as “a balanced approach that combines local governance for the Sahrawis with the preservation of Moroccan sovereignty.” The document portrays the initiative as “Aligned with the principles of self-determination while ensuring regional stability.”
It adds, “Our stance reflects a Pan-African vision aimed at unifying the continent rather than dividing it,” an implicit critique of the ANC’s position, which it calls “disconnected from today’s geopolitical realities.”
Zuma: A Pioneer of Morocco–South Africa Rapprochement
This declaration echoes earlier diplomatic efforts by Jacob Zuma during his presidency. Zuma met King Mohammed VI on the sidelines of the 2017 AU–EU Summit in Abidjan—a meeting that stirred controversy within the ANC.
“Morocco is an African nation with which we must build relations,” Zuma said at the time, reminding the public that it was Pretoria that severed ties in 2004 by recognizing the so-called “SADR.”
South Africa’s Political Landscape in Flux
This MK statement comes amid growing political fragmentation in South Africa:
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The ANC (159 seats) finds itself increasingly isolated on the Sahara issue.
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The Democratic Alliance (87 seats), representing the white minority, maintains a cautious stance.
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Meanwhile, separatist movements in the Cape region—reportedly backed by Donald Trump—are gaining momentum.
As a major opposition party, MK’s endorsement of Morocco’s sovereignty could signal a turning point in Africa’s broader perception of the Sahara issue. It reflects a growing trend among African states toward viewing the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as a realistic and pragmatic solution.
This realignment comes as Morocco deepens its engagement in sub-Saharan Africa, bolstering its influence through major economic investments and strategic partnerships, in contrast to Algeria’s primarily political backing of the Polisario Front.