South Africa ANC Party’s Memorandum Encourages Ties with Morocco Amid Tensions

Several sections of the political party “African National Congress” (ANC) in South Africa called on the party to strengthen its diplomatic relations with Morocco, urging recognition of the Kingdom’s crucial support in the anti-apartheid struggle, in a memorandum presented on Wednesday at the ANC’s Johannesburg headquarters.
The memorandum highlighted Morocco’s early and unwavering backing of the liberal ANC’s fight against apartheid, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s. Morocco not only provided military and financial aid but also training for ANC fighters, including Nelson Mandela, with the Algerian Revolutionary Army, Morocco’s Press Agency (MAP) reported.
The party also recalls Morocco’s crucial diplomatic role, supporting the ANC’s inclusion in the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and championing the broader African anti-colonial and anti-apartheid efforts. These contributions were particularly significant before other African nations were fully able to offer similar support.
A key figure in this historical support was King Hassan II of Morocco. In the 1980s, King Hassan II played a pivotal role in assisting the ANC’s efforts to overthrow apartheid. Under the Moroccan monarch’s leadership, the government provided a safe haven for ANC leaders offering military and diplomatic support, which proved essential during the height of the apartheid regime.
King Hassan II also facilitated crucial talks that brought together various African liberation movements, significantly strengthening the continental effort against colonialism and apartheid. His support helped raise the ANC’s international profile, setting the stage for the global anti-apartheid movement’s momentum in the years that followed.
The memorandum urged the ANC to seek greater economic and strategic cooperation with Morocco, a key economic player in Africa. Morocco hosts significant South African investments, and closer ties could help both nations align their policies to benefit broader African economic goals, especially through initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Recognizing Morocco’s capabilities
The document argued that Morocco’s economic influence and its growing role in Africa make it an important partner for South Africa as both countries work toward common objectives under the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
A major portion of the memorandum focused on the ongoing dispute over the Sahara. The document called on South Africa to reconsider its stance, noting that most African nations support Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces.
The ANC was urged to back UN Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2756, which encouraged negotiations between Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the Polisario militia to reach a peaceful, political solution. It also emphasized that South Africa should distance itself from supporting military actions regarding the Sahara and support the UN’s push for a negotiated settlement.
The memorandum’s delivery coincided with protests outside ANC headquarters in Johannesburg, where a small group of activists expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s handling of Morocco-related diplomacy.
Sparking controversy
The protesters, led by activist Teboho Maake, criticized the ANC for lacking transparency and deviating from its longstanding foreign policy principles. Maake expressed concern over the ANC’s unclear position on Morocco, stressing the need for the party to clarify its approach to strengthening bilateral relations with the Kingdom.
This protest also follows controversy over ANC provincial leader Obed Bapela’s actions earlier this year. Bapela reportedly signed an agreement with Moroccan officials during a visit, advocating for stronger trade relations between South Africa and Morocco.
In response to the controversy, the ANC acknowledged that Bapela had violated party protocols by not following proper procedures in his dealings with Moroccan officials. As a result, the ANC removed him from his position as deputy chair of the party’s International Relations sub-committee and referred the matter to the party’s disciplinary committee.
The debate surrounding South Africa’s approach to Morocco is also an indicator of broader divisions within the ANC, with some calling for a pragmatic shift in foreign policy to embrace stronger diplomatic and economic ties with the Kingdom. Meanwhile others remain more committed to traditional positions that have shaped South Africa’s stance on African conflicts, particularly regarding the Sahara.