
South Africa : Will Zuma's party succeed in ousting the Polisario's main ally ?
This development unfolds amid escalating tensions between the ANC and the Democratic Alliance (DA). The latest chapter in this political showdown between the country's two leading parties occurred on Friday, July 18. In a statement, Ramaphosa's party voiced its «concerns over the disinformation campaign led by Democratic Alliance MP Emma Powell against South Africa, and her apparent attempts to undermine the South African government's response to the new U.S. tariff regime».
These events echo the turbulent weeks preceding the ousting of Pedro Castillo, a former Polisario ally in Peru, in December 2022. A few months after his arrest, the new Peruvian president rescinded in September 2023 her recognition of the «SADR».
In Morocco, Jacob Zuma reiterated from Rabat his support for Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and advocated for establishing an economic and diplomatic partnership between South Africa and the kingdom. The MK stands as the third-largest political force in South Africa.

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Morocco World
2 hours ago
- Morocco World
Over 80 Irregular Immigrants Swim to Ceuta in Summer's Largest Irregular Migration Wave
Rabat — More than 80 people swam to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Saturday in the largest irregular immigration wave of the summer. The group included at least 50 Moroccan and Palestinian minors who braved dangerous sea conditions marked by strong swells and thick coastal fog. Spanish media outlet El Faro de Ceuta reported that rescue operations stretched from Friday afternoon through Saturday night. Spanish maritime units and divers from the Civil Guard's Special Underwater Activities Group (GEAS) worked intensively to save lives in the treacherous waters. The news outlet indicated that official reports confirm that rescuers saved 54 minors and around 30 adults. Most swimmers are reportedly Moroccan, with several Palestinians among them. Children scatter through city streets Despite increased security measures, several minors managed to slip away into different neighborhoods of Ceuta. This suggests the actual number of arrivals may exceed official figures released by authorities. Local authorities immediately transferred the rescued children to temporary reception centers. They also called on the central government to provide emergency assistance to handle the influx. August brings annual migration surge August typically sees a spike in migration attempts to the Ceuta enclave each year, with structural and situational factors driving this pattern, including poverty and unemployment in the region. This time, migrants took advantage of the dense fog that affects Morocco's northern coasts during this period, reducing the effectiveness of maritime radars and making irregular crossings easier to attempt undetected. Morocco's efforts to counter irregular immigration In response to the pressuring irregular immigration challenges across its borders, Morocco succeeded in preventing a total of 78,685 attempts in 2024. The North African country has shown firm response to the growing number of irregular immigration and related practices. Moroccan authorities dismantled 332 human trafficking networks during the same year, defying these groups' collaborative criminal operations. Most intercepted migrants came from West Africa, accounting for 58% of the total, while migrants from the Maghreb represented 12%, and 9% came from East and Central African countries. Tags: ceutaIrregular immigrantsirregular immigration


Morocco World
6 hours ago
- Morocco World
PJD Condemns Israeli Interception of Handala, Moroccan Journalist Detention
Rabat — The Justice and Development Party (PJD) issued a statement today, condemning the Israeli Occupation Forces' (IOF) illegal interception of the humanitarian ship Handala and the detention of its passengers, including Moroccan journalist Mohamed El Bakkali. In El Bakkali's pre-recorded message before the interception of the Handala ship, he called on the Moroccan government and human rights organizations to secure their release. 'If you are seeing this video, the Handala ship has been intercepted by Israeli Forces… and most likely, we have been abducted and are being illegally detained,' the Al Jazeera journalist said. PJD condemned the interception of the ship and the arrest of the Moroccan journalist along with its peaceful activists, calling on Moroccan autZionisthorities to take immediate action to secure El Bakkali's release. 'What draws attention and condemnation is that the piracy of this humanitarian and peaceful ship was carried out by the sea pirates in international waters, in clear violation of all relevant international laws,' PJD said. PJD also condemned the total silence over similar incidents by the IOF without the international community's intervention. The party asserts that this encourages Israel to 'continue its actions and brutality without regard for laws, charters, or international institutions, threatening and undermining international peace and security.' The IOF intercepted the Handala ship on Saturday, with the Israeli Foreign Ministry claiming that the ship is part of 'unauthorized attempts to break the blockade.' They also reported they all passengers are safe; however, this has not been verified. Israel also claimed that similar acts 'undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts.' The claims come amid a starvation campaign Israel has launched against Palestinians in Gaza for months. The starvation death toll has reached at least 133 to date, including over 80 children. Activists and rights groups are warning that the death toll is yet to rise amid a lack and absence of humanitarian aid due to the IOF's merciless approach, contributing to its armed genocidal war and mass killings of Palestinians. Tags: Gaza starvationstarvation Gaza


Morocco World
6 hours ago
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Handala Ship Intercepted: Israel Accused of Using Starvation as a Weapon of Genocide in Gaza
Rabat — In what human rights groups are calling a blatant violation of international law, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) on Saturday night intercepted the humanitarian aid vessel Handala as it attempted to reach the genocide-torn Gaza. The interception, which occurred in international waters, has reignited international outrage over Israel's systematic refusal to lift its starvation campaign. The Handala, the latest vessel by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was carrying essential supplies including food, medicine, infant formula, and water purification systems. Onboard were 21 activists and journalists from 14 countries, including Morocco, South Africa, Malaysia, France, and the United States. Their goal was to break the months-long Israeli naval blockade that has strangled Gaza's access to life-saving humanitarian aid. The IOF forcibly boarded the vessel, confiscated its cargo, and detained the passengers before transferring them to Israel. Communications with the ship were reportedly cut during the operation. According to organizers, the passengers were subjected to aggressive tactics and are now facing possible legal action in Israeli courts. Moroccan journalists respond The National Syndicate of Moroccan Journalists has strongly condemned the raid on the Handala aid ship and the arbitrary arrest of its crew, including Moroccan journalist Mohamed El Bakkali. El Bakkali released a pre-recorded message before the boat was illegally intercepted by the IOF on international waters. In his message, El Bakkali called on the Moroccan government and human rights organizations to secure his and his shipmates' release, stating: 'If you are seeing this video, the Handala ship has been intercepted by Israeli Forces…and most likely, we have been abducted and are being illegally detained.' In response, the union expressed deep concern over what it described as a 'blatant assault' on a peaceful, humanitarian, and journalistic mission headed for Gaza, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained. The group urged international organizations working in the fields of press freedom, human rights, and humanitarian action to intervene and exert pressure on the IOF to ensure the safety of the Handala's crew and respect their right to carry out their mission. The statement denounced the operation as a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and journalistic protections in conflict zones. It also framed the attack as further evidence of Israel's disregard for universal human rights principles and a serious threat to the safety of journalists. Reaffirming its full solidarity with El Bakkali and his fellow journalists and activists, the union called for sustained national and international mobilization to break the media and humanitarian blockade imposed on Gaza and to hold Israel accountable for its repeated violations against journalists and civilians. Starvation as a weapon of genocide The interception comes amid escalating warnings from humanitarian organizations and UN officials that mass starvation is ravaging Gaza's population. At least six Palestinians died of hunger-related causes in the last 24 hours alone, bringing the total confirmed number of starvation deaths to 133 since the Israeli-induced genocidal starvation began. 'The blockade, the targeting of aid convoys, and now the violent interception of ships like the Handala all show one thing: Israel is using starvation as a weapon of war,' said a spokesperson for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. 'This is no longer just a humanitarian crisis—it is a deliberate policy that meets the criteria of genocide.' The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is currently examining South Africa's case against Israel, which argues that IOF's rentless attacks and the systematic denial of humanitarian access in Gaza amount to genocide under international law. A symbol of resistance and desperation The Handala's journey was not just about aid — it was a message. Named after the iconic Palestinian cartoon character symbolizing resistance, the vessel sought to break not just a physical blockade but also the silence and inaction of the international community. In a final message before the raid, a crew member said: 'We carry food, not weapons. If we are stopped, let the world know that hunger is being used to kill an entire people.' As of Sunday, those words appear tragically prophetic. The Handala may have been seized, but its mission has once again exposed the brutal cost of a siege that many see sliding into the final phase of genocide before the eyes of a largely passive world. Tags: gaza genocideHandala ship