A report drawn up by the Moroccan diplomatic services lists the “handicaps of Morocco in Africa” and confirms the thesis put forward by Algeriepatriotique according to which the Makhzen has decided to reintegrate the African Union to push its members to exclude the Sahrawi Republic from it.
For the authors of the report sent to Mohammed VI, Morocco’s withdrawal from the OAU in 1984 “left a free hand to its adversaries within the Pan-African bodies”. “The effects of this absence are accentuated by the reduction in the level of the Moroccan embassy in Addis Ababa, at a time when it was necessary, on the contrary, to strengthen it”, notes the report, which also notes an “under-representation of the Morocco in Southern and Eastern Africa (…) regions with the largest number of countries hostile to [our national cause]”.
The confidential report is concerned about the “weak weight on the African chessboard of the French-speaking countries which make up the base of Morocco’s support and which is reflected in the level of less and less importance of their influence on the African scene and within the ‘UA’. Rabat criticizes this group – led by Dakar – for “showing a certain softness, timidity, even a certain indifference in defending its points of view”. The report warns, in this sense, against “the rise in power of the English-speaking countries which make up the base of the support of the clan hostile to [our country] and which is reflected in the leadership and the preponderant influence which they exert on the African agenda.
Moroccans fear the “great determination” and the “virulent and aggressive commitment” of these countries to “impose [their] points of view”. They want proof of this “the adventures of the election of Mrs. Zuma at the head of the AU Commission” which “is a perfect illustration of this”. The report speaks of “manifest collusion between the adversaries of Morocco and the chairperson of the AU Commission” which “makes it more difficult to counter the opposing offensive”.
Manipulate The International Community
The report is also concerned about the “stalemate in the UN process of seeking a negotiated political solution” to the Sahara issue. This stalemate “is presented by the adversaries of Morocco (translate Algeria, editor’s note) as being a failure of the Moroccan proposal for the autonomy plan and serves as an argument for them to demand the reappropriation by the AU of this question”, affirms the report which evokes a “deliberate blocking” of the Arab Maghreb Union as a regional African organization. A “blockage” which “deprives Morocco of considerable leverage through which it could circumvent its absence from the AU and influence the African decision”.
The authors of the report then suggested to Mohammed VI to send “emissaries bearing royal messages” to the “heads of state of friendly countries”, at the head of which the report cites Senegal, without omitting to include in the list of countries to “approach”, Libya, Tunisia and Egypt. The report also suggests undertaking “with determination” steps “with the High Commissioner for Refugees, the Human Rights Council and international NGOs to compel them to seriously address the issue of the violation of the rights of the populations sequestered in the camps of Tindouf (sic) to international protection and of the responsibility of Algeria and the Polisario in this crime” (re-sic).
Through this gesticulation, the Makhzen intends to “corner Algeria” and “put it in the dock on a question where it is the most uncomfortable and the most vulnerable”, we read in the confidential report which recommends, moreover, the “mobilization of national and international media” to echo these Machiavellian maneuvers.
The report recommends, finally, a “hardening of the tone with regard to Algeria” and advises the palace to “accredit the thesis that the question of the Sahara is decisive” for Morocco and that “any solution which does not take take into account the rights of Morocco on [its] territory will constitute a threat to peace and security in a very fragile region”. An immoral process whose objective is to manipulate the international community so that it “takes this risk very seriously”.
Note on Africa
Africa is the focus of the attention of the whole world, which has been able to observe the sustained pace of economic growth of this continent in recent years. Africa is today, more than in the past, become the new frontier of the world.
This situation is reflected in the rush of all the powers towards the African continent. The proliferation of partnerships with this continent are proof of this: China/Africa-Japan/Africa-EU/Africa, Brazil/Africa-Russia/Africa-ASA-Vietnam/Africa-Turkey/Africa-France/Africa, etc.
“Africa dominates the world”. This quote takes on its full dimension today in a world that has stalled for growth. For our country, Africa is not only an outlet for trade and investment, it is above all where its political future is at stake. The difficulties that our country has encountered in the Sahara affair have their origin in the hostile position taken in the 70s and 80s by a large part of the African countries with regard to the territorial integrity of our country.
This trend has not been completely reversed, a third of African countries continue to recognize this “non-existent state” which is the nickname “SADR”.
The interest of His Majesty King Mohamed VI, may God assist him and the priority that His Majesty gives to Africa, the increasing importance accorded by Moroccan companies to the African continent, have not found their translation at the diplomatic level.
Moroccan Embassies in Africa continue to be the least well resourced compared to Embassies in Europe and elsewhere. The Ambassadors appointed to Africa are in almost all cases, ambassadors for whom this is the first post, unlike those who are appointed to Europe and even compared to the ambassadors of African countries in Morocco.
Is Croatia more important for Morocco than Senegal? Is Hungary more important for our country than Gabon? Is Canada more important for Morocco than Ivory Coast?
The CAR Ambassador to Morocco has been Minister several times – that of Burkina also, the diplomatic staff assigned to embassies in Africa, in most cases consists of young diplomats for whom this is the first assignment abroad . Positions in Africa are still perceived as a second-rate assignment, allowances and budget allocations are not motivating. Almost all of the “Diplomatic Action” budget is allocated to diplomatic posts in Europe and America.
Ambassadors are a key part of any diplomatic action. Their role is essential and determines the failure or success of any major undertaking. It is therefore appropriate that those assigned to Africa are able to translate into action the political and diplomatic ambitions of our country.
Moreover, Morocco cannot indefinitely continue to turn its back on Southern and Eastern Africa. Six Embassies only for twenty-four countries, it is the very low ratio to pretend to reverse the balance of power currently very favorable to the opposing comp.
The reversal of this situation is a sine qua non for the success of any strategy towards Africa. There should be appointment of seasoned Ambassadors and experienced staff wherever needed in Dakar-Libreville-Abidjan-Ouagadogou-Yaoundé.
The Moroccan Mission in Addis Ababa is reduced to its simplest expression when it should be in tune with the diplomatic representations in Geneva, Brussels or New York.
Just as these missions should be provided with substantial resources to enable them to fully play their role.
It would also be necessary to proceed with the opening of Embassies, even embryonic at first, in Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Namibia and Mozambique (the budget of an average embassy hardly exceeds three million dirhams and is not not beyond the means of our country.
This article is originally published on moroccomail.fr