What does South Africa acquire from supporting Polisario Front within the Moroccan Sahara battle?
South Africa’s help for the Polisario Front’s separatist ambitions within the Moroccan Sahara is well-documented. Its alliance with Algeria, which goals to undermine Morocco’s regional affect by backing separatist teams, is a key side of this dynamic. Observers of this problem typically marvel: What are South Africa’s pursuits on this alignment?
They recommend that South Africa’s alignment with Algeria, together with Algeria’s efforts to advertise its agenda in Africa, may restrict its advantages.
As Morocco expands its financial and diplomatic affect throughout Africa, solidifying its function as a pivotal African participant, South Africa’s involvement within the Moroccan Sahara problem dangers damaging its ties with a distinguished African nation.
In this regard, Abbas El Wardi, a public legislation professor at Mohammed V University, argued that South Africa’s help for the Polisario Front is rooted within the intricate dynamics of its political system, which suffered from colonial exploitation and marginalization.
In an announcement Hespress AR, El Wardi mentioned that “South Africa’s stance is largely influenced by misinformation spread by Algeria’s military regime. Being geographically distant from the Maghreb region, South Africa lacks a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding the Moroccan Sahara issue.”
He added that “Morocco has consistently shown goodwill in its efforts to improve relations with South Africa, including dispatching top diplomats to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Yet, the relationship remains cold and distant, seemingly due to South Africa’s alignment with Algeria’s narrative.”
The professor underscored “the need for South Africa to reassess its stance in light of evolving global dynamics, noting that “the Polisario Front has been recognized by numerous countries and international organizations as a separatist movement supported by Algeria.”
He identified that South Africa’s ongoing help for the separatist claims won’t serve its personal long-term pursuits. This is particularly true as increasingly more international locations acknowledge Morocco’s sovereignty over the area and as Morocco continues to increase its diplomatic affect on the worldwide stage.
For his half, Abdelfatah Al Fatihi, Head of the Sahara and Africa Center for Strategic Studies, famous that “South Africa, which frequently diverges from the United States on international and African issues, is working to strengthen its global influence by aligning with China and Russia through the BRICS framework. As part of this strategy, it seeks to build an alliance with Algeria—despite Algeria’s failure to secure a seat in BRICS—to bolster its position on the Moroccan Sahara dispute.”
In an announcement to Hespress AR, Al Fatihi famous that “South Africa, in its pursuit of continental leadership, sees the need for a North African partner to bolster its standing with China and Russia, both vying for influence in Africa.”
He added that South Africa regards Algeria as “a diplomatic ally that may help on this endeavor, significantly in gentle of Algeria’s current diplomatic defeats in opposition to Morocco.
The skilled defined that “South Africa’s support for Algeria aims to strengthen its regional influence, but it’s costly, as Algeria faces growing isolation after Morocco’s diplomatic wins.”
He added that “South Africa also views Algeria as a potential diplomatic card to pressure the U.S., especially with Trump’s return to the White House, who secured U.S. recognition of Morocco’s Sahara sovereignty through the Abraham Accords.”
Al Fatihi famous that “the alliance between the two countries is also reflected in their opposition to granting Israel observer status in the African Union, aiming to assert their political stances and gain concessions from the U.S., while strengthening South Africa’s role as Africa’s voice.”
He concluded that “the U.S. views Morocco as a key strategic ally outside NATO, which concerns South Africa as it strengthens Morocco’s growing influence in Africa. This aligns Algerian and South African interests in trying to slow Morocco’s rise, which threatens their positions on the continent.”
