MKP, Morocco alliance betrays Sahrawi cause

THE Umkhonto we Sizwe Party’s (MKP) growing relationship with the Kingdom of Morocco, as laid out in the document titled ‘A Strategic Partnership for African Unity, Economic Emancipation and Territorial Integrity: Morocco, was recently strengthened during a high-profile visit to Morocco by MKP leader, Jacob Zuma.

- DR RENEVA FOURIE

This deepening alliance raises serious questions about the MKP’s ideological commitments and political motivations, especially in light of Moroccos controversial political stance and human rights record.

MKP’s partnership with a country with deep links to Israel - and one that has been complicit in the ongoing occupation and human rights violations against the Sahrawi people - is a marked departure from the party’s earlier messaging as a champion of anti-colonialism and African self-determination.

Rather than standing in solidarity with the oppressed, MKP now appears to be embracing and legitimising imperialist interests, thereby aligning itself with Western political and economic agendas on the continent.

Morocco’ relationship with Israel is particularly contentious and is rejected by significant segments of its population. On December 10, 2020, the US government announced a normalisation agreement between Israel and Morocco. By December 22, 2020, the two countries signed a joint statement committing to initiate direct flights to enhance economic collaboration and establish full diplomatic ties.

As part of this arrangement, the US agreed to recognise Morocco’s annexation of Western Sahara and endorsed Moroccos autonomy proposal as the only framework for negotiations. Among Morocco’ acts of complicity in Israel’s current genocide in Gaza is allowing an Israeli warship to dock at Tangier for refuelling and resupplying while en route from the US.