South African Government position on the readmission of Morocco to the African Union and the effect on the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic’s right to self-determination
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NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
FOR ORAL REPLY
QUESTION NO: 44 (CO52E)
PUBLISHED IN NCOP INTERNAL QUESTION NO.1-2017 OF 7 MARCH 2017
MR SG MTHIMUNYE OF THE (ANC) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:
(1) (a) How does the readmission of Morocco to the African Union affect the Government’s position?
(b) How will it affect the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic’s right to self-determination?
REPLY:
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CO-OPERATION (Mr L T Landers): Honourable Chair, the reply to the question is as follows: 1(a), the 28th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union decided to admit the Kingdom of Morocco as a new member state of the African Union, AU, in conformity with articles 9(c) and 29 of the Constitutive Act of the African Union.
The South African government’s position remains steadfast in its support for the right to self-determination and the territorial integrity of the people Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. South Africa, with Algeria, Zimbabwe, Angola, Lesotho, Namibia, Mozambique, and Uganda, argued strongly against Morocco’s admission. However, 39 member states approved the admission of the Kingdom of Morocco to the AU because there were no longer preconditions, as had previously been set by the Kingdom of Morocco.
To answer part (b) of the question, having emerged from colonialism and apartheid, the Republic of South Africa remains unwavering in its support for the people of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic in their quest to achieve the inalienable right to self-determination. These objectives and principles, as espoused by articles 3 and 4 of the Constitutive Act of the African Union as well as article 1(2) of the United Nations Charter, are fully in support of the right to self-determination by the Sahrawi people. Thank you.
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