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The row opens a brand new entrance in a collection of disputes over Western Sahara that has already dragged in Spain and Germany.
Morocco has recalled its ambassador in Tunis for consultations and cancelled its participation in a pan-African funding convention, after Tunisia’s president hosted the top of the Polisario motion, which needs independence for Western Sahara.
Morocco, which regards Western Sahara as its territory, mentioned on Friday that Tunisia’s determination to ask Brahim Ghali to an African improvement summit this weekend was “hostile and prejudicial to the fraternal relations that the 2 nations have all the time maintained” and the welcome given to Ghali “a grave and unprecedented act that deeply hurts the sentiments of the Moroccan folks”.
The assertion added: “Tunisia, in opposition to the recommendation of Japan and in violation of the method of preparation and established guidelines, determined unilaterally to ask” the Polisario.
The row opens a brand new entrance in a series of disputes over Western Sahara that has already dragged in Spain and Germany and escalated a regional rivalry between Morocco and Algeria, Polisario’s predominant backer.
Tunisia has this 12 months grown nearer to Algeria, which it depends on for power, with President Kais Saied assembly Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in July.
This weekend, Tunisia is internet hosting the Tokyo Worldwide Convention on African Improvement, which can embody heads of state from a number of African nations.
Tunisia, in response to Morocco’s determination, introduced it will additionally recall its ambassador to Rabat for session.
Tunisia’s ministry of international affairs mentioned in an announcement early on Saturday that the nation maintains its full “neutrality over Western Sahara challenge in compliance with worldwide legitimacy”.
It mentioned the African Union had circulated a memorandum inviting all members of the grouping, together with the top of the Polisario Entrance motion, to take part within the actions of the Tokyo Worldwide Convention on African Improvement Summit in Tunisia.
Additionally, the president of the African Fee prolonged a direct particular person invitation to Brahim Ghali to attend the summit, the assertion mentioned.
Senegalese President Macky Sall, who’s at the moment chair of the African Union, is scheduled to talk. The African Union recognises Western Sahara as a member, however African states are break up over each the Polisario and the territory’s independence.
It isn’t the primary time that Ghali’s travels have sparked Moroccan anger.
In April 2021, he went to Spain for treatment after contracting COVID-19, sparking a year-long diplomatic row between Spain and the North African kingdom.
That solely ended after Madrid dropped its decades-long stance of neutrality over the Western Sahara – a former Spanish colony – and backed a Moroccan plan for restricted self-rule there.
Gaining recognition for its sovereignty over Western Sahara has lengthy been Morocco’s most treasured international coverage objective. In 2020, the US recognised its sovereignty in return for Morocco’s agreeing closer ties with Israel.
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