African diplomats brawl at Tokyo conference [NAGRANIE]

Yesterday, August 24 (22:28)

During preparations for the International Conference on African Development in Tokyo, a quarrel broke out between African diplomats and representatives of Morocco, Algeria and Western Sahara. The latter, supported by Algeria, is not recognized by many countries, including Morocco.

The incident occurred on Friday in Tokyo when The Moroccan delegate, the representative of Western Sahara to the African Union, Lamine Baali, attacked.

The diplomat placed a sign on the meeting table reading “Sahrawi Republic”, meaning the state of Western Sahara, which is not recognized by Rabat.

The Algerian delegate, who has supported Western Sahara in international forums for years, immediately rushed to help Lamine Baali.

The conflict over the status of Western Sahara has been ongoing since 1975, when Spain withdrew from the region (its former colony) and Moroccan and Mauritanian forces entered the area.

Then began fighting with the Polisario Front, a pro-independence movement that claims sovereignty over Western Sahara and is supported by Algeria. The clashes continued until 1991, when a ceasefire was signed. The agreement called for a referendum, but it never took place.

There are oil deposits within the Western Desert. The Polisario Front currently controls about 20 percent of the territory, with the rest being claimed by Morocco, which claims Western Sahara as its territory.

The status of the lands inhabited by nearly half a million people remains unresolved. Recent UN Security Council resolutions have not referred to holding a referendum, but have called on the parties concerned to jointly seek a realistic solution based on compromise. The Polisario Front withdrew from the ceasefire in 2023, but heavy fighting has not resumed.

Morocco’s plan for autonomy in Western Sahara was supported by Spain in 2022. Morocco’s control over the region has also been supported by the United States, Israel and Arab kingdoms. The Algerian Foreign Ministry announced at the end of last July the dismissal of its ambassador to Paris after statements by French President Emmanuel Macron in support of Morocco’s plan for autonomy in Western Sahara.

Sigmund Shortle

“Coffee enthusiast. Troublemaker. Incurable introvert. Subtly charming twitter scholar. Award-winning social mediaholic. Internet buff.”

African diplomats brawl at Tokyo conference [NAGRANIE]

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African diplomats brawl at Tokyo conference [NAGRANIE]

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