A small group of African National Congress (ANC) supporters led by activist Teboho Maake gathered outside Luthuli House, the party headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Wednesday to protest the party’s handling of bilateral relations with Morocco, criticizing the party’s lack of transparency and deviation from long-standing commitments.
“We are dissatisfied over the ANC’s position with respect to Morocco, and there exists an urgent need for clarity on how we plan to develop our bilateral relationships with them,” Maake said.
The protest comes amid an earlier controversy surrounding the ANC’s provincial leader, Obed Bapela, who reportedly signed an agreement with Moroccan officials during a visit two months ago, according to South African outlet IOL.
Reports indicated that Bapela had represented himself as part of an official ANC delegation, advocating for enhanced trade relations between South Africa and Morocco. Critics argued that the move undercut the ANC’s established foreign policy principles.
In response, the ANC acknowledged Bapela had failed to follow party protocols during his meeting with Morocco’s foreign affairs minister. The party also announced disciplinary measures, removing Bapela from his role as deputy chair of the International Relations subcommittee and referring the matter to its disciplinary committee for further action.
“The ANC wishes to advise that Cde Obed Bapela has been removed his duties as deputy chairperson, as a member of the ANC NEC Sub-committee on International Relations,” the party said in a statement, citing violations of the ANC constitution and failure to comply with resolutions from its 55th National Conference.
During the protest, demonstrators delivered a memorandum calling for stronger diplomatic ties with Morocco, referencing the ANC’s Freedom Charter to advocate for “peace and friendship.” The document highlighted a need to differentiate the issues of the Sahara and Palestine, arguing that conflating them weakens unity and support for both causes.
The protest also reignited debates over the historical relationship between Morocco and South Africa. Morocco played a pivotal role in supporting Nelson Mandela and the ANC during the fight against apartheid in the 1980s and 90s.
Under the reign of King Hassan II, Morocco provided diplomatic, financial, and military assistance, including training ANC members along with the Algerian Revolutionary Army. This relationship was commemorated when King Hassan II awarded Mandela a medal of honor in 1994. The relationship has continued under the reign of King Mohammed VI, marked by Mandela’s visit to Rabat in 2005.
While ANC spokesperson Shupinyane ka Ndaba claimed he was unaware of the protest, he pledged to investigate the grievances. Meanwhile, the incident underscores growing tensions within the party as it navigates complex foreign policy challenges, raising critical questions about South Africa’s evolving diplomatic strategy and its ability to reconcile historical commitments with contemporary political realities.