Published on: 08/31/2022 – 00:33
After the departure of its ambassador from Tunis in protest at the invitation of Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali to the recent Japan-Africa Economic Forum, Rabat is multiplying dissatisfied gestures and hostile positions. Sections of civil society close to the authorities are getting involved and criticizing Tunisia.
Moroccan volleyball clubs will not participate in the Arab Championship or the African Club Championship, two competitions that will be held in Tunis in September and October.
The Morocco does not digest that President Kaïs Saïed himself was at the airport to personally receive and roll out the red carpet for Brahim Ghali, leader of the Polisario Front. This invitation is indeed the straw that broke the camel’s back. In Rabat, it is believed that Tunisian policy towards Western Sahara has changed since Kaïs Saïed came to power. Tunisia is clearly under Algerian pressure, according to Rabat.
In the last 48 hours, the union of judges, lawyers, the press and the Union of Moroccan Writers, to name a few, have denounced the Tunisian gesture in press releases. A “diplomatic stupidity”, denounces the press release of the Writers’ Union. Social networks are unleashed and some even call for a boycott of Tunisian products.
In Tunisia, the press union deplores “the smear campaign waged by the Moroccan media against the Tunisian people and institutions”. Several political parties have criticized Kaïs Saïed’s position, which they believe has abandoned the principle of “positive neutrality” towards Western Sahara that has been officially advocated for decades. Others defend the president and say Tunisia represents the United Nations position.
Since the speech of King Mohamed VI. on August 20th While reiterating that the Sahara issue “is the prism through which Morocco views its international environment,” Rabat has hardened its positions towards its neighbors and allies on the issue, demanding a clear position from them on the issue.