South African Party “MK”: We Support Autonomy in the Sahara under Moroccan Sovereignty and Oppose the Fragmentation of African States

ALDAR/ Meryem Hafiani

The South African party uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), founded by former president Jacob Zuma, has expressed its full support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative, describing it as a realistic and effective solution to ensure stability and development in the region.

During an official visit to Rabat, the party’s delegation, led by Zuma, affirmed that Moroccan–South African relations are deeply rooted in the continent’s liberation history, recalling that the late Nelson Mandela received military training in 1962 in the city of Oujda, with financial and logistical support from Morocco for liberation movements across Africa, particularly in the southern region.

The party described the visit as a natural extension of the historic meeting between King Mohammed VI and Jacob Zuma in 2017 on the sidelines of the African Union–European Union Summit in Abidjan. That meeting opened a new chapter in bilateral relations, including discussions aimed at overcoming diplomatic stagnation and restoring ambassadorial exchanges.

In an official statement, the MK party emphasized that relations between Morocco and South Africa hold “tremendous potential,” calling for a strategic partnership centered on African unity, economic emancipation, and the preservation of the territorial sovereignty of states. In this context, the party stressed that the Sahara issue should be resolved through a pragmatic approach that respects the unity of African countries, expressing its belief that the Moroccan autonomy proposal represents a balanced path toward peace and stability in the region.

The party reaffirmed in its statement that the proposal offers effective self-governance for the populations of the southern provinces, without compromising Morocco’s sovereignty over its entire national territory. It also called on the international community to support Morocco’s initiative as the most suitable means to achieve peace, development, and dignity for the peoples of the region.

Going further, the party stated that Morocco’s vision aligns with its steadfast stance in defending the unity and sovereignty of African states, amid attempts to “balkanize” the continent—efforts the party sees as a serious threat to collective stability, especially given the internal challenges facing South Africa.

In conclusion, the MK party reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to defending the unity of the African continent and opposing all forms of foreign interference and separatism, emphasizing that its support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara is fully consistent with its liberation legacy and its vision of a united and rising Africa on the international stage.