By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) has condemned the use of the SA flag during a bilateral meeting between Jacob Zuma and Moroccan officials.
Zuma met Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita on Tuesday.
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party officially recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara and endorsed the Autonomy Plan as a viable solution to the regional dispute.
Zuma emphasized the long-standing ties between Morocco and South Africa, recalling the North African country’s support for anti-apartheid movements.
“We are here in our country that we have been with for years,” he said, noting historical exchanges and shared visions. “We believe that Africa must do better, and we believe that we are going to succeed in doing so.”
The MK Party’s endorsement marks a stark departure from the traditional position of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), which has long backed the Polisario Front.
In a statement the ANC said, “it has noted with deep concern a disturbing development involving the Kingdom of Morocco. In a bilateral meeting with an opposition figure who does not represent the democratically elected government of South Africa, the national flag of the Republic of South Africa was used.
“This reckless and provocative act constitutes a flagrant violation of international diplomatic norms and an unacceptable intrusion into South Africa’s internal political affairs. It is a dangerous attempt to delegitimise our constitutional order and discredit the authority of a democratically elected government. The inclusion of our national symbols in partisan activities hosted by foreign powers is not only misleading but also part of a broader agenda of foreign interference.”
The ANC urges the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to issue a formal diplomatic protest and to demand an immediate explanation and apology from the Moroccan authorities. We also call on all South Africans, regardless of political affiliation, to reject this dangerous precedent that threatens our sovereignty, our democracy, and our national unity, read the statement.
“We further condemn the opportunistic involvement of Jacob Zuma, who has aligned himself with efforts that erode South Africa’s standing in the international community and betray the principles of non-alignment, peace, and anti-colonial solidarity that he once purported to uphold.”
Morocco claims sovereignty over Western Sahara, where the Algeria-backed Polisario Front is seeking independence. It has denied allegations of rights abuses against its opponents there.
As part of a broader strategy, Morocco has been courting countries, including African neighbours, to build up support for its policies for the former Spanish territory.
But it has not won over South Africa which helped to organise an event to promote self-determination for the Sahrawi people in Geneva last year.
Meanwhile ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula told the media on the sidelines that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) will be in Cape Town this weekend to meet with branches and structures.
This is part of the efforts to strengthen the party in the province since it was unseated by the Democratic Alliance (DA) in 2009.