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Morocco World
a day ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
South Africa's MK Party Recognizes Morocco's Sovereignty Over Western Sahara
Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita met on Tuesday with former South African President Jacob Zuma, leader of the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, in Rabat. The meeting marked a significant shift in South Africa's political stance, as Zuma's party officially recognized Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara and endorsed the Autonomy Plan as a viable solution to the regional dispute. The visit builds on previous diplomatic overtures, including Zuma's meeting with King Mohammed VI in 2017 during the African Union summit in Côte d'Ivoire, where both sides agreed to open a new chapter in bilateral relations. In a joint appearance, 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.' An official statement on behalf of the MK Party stated, 'We are very delighted and honored to be here in Rabat to deepen the historical bond between our two countries,' recalling Nelson Mandela's 1962 training in Oujda and the support Morocco extended to liberation movements across the continent. A 'balanced path' toward stability and peace The statement described the MK Party's stance as part of a broader effort to 'bring a practical solution to the long-standing debacle on the future of the Western Sahara region.' 'Our party believes that this autonomy proposal allows for significant local governance by the people of the Western Sahara region while ensuring that Morocco retains its crucial sovereignty,' the statement affirmed. 'This approach offers a balanced path forward that promotes both stability, peace and development in the region.' The statement also urged the international community to support the Moroccan Autonomy Plan, saying it is the most effective route toward lasting peace and prosperity in Western Sahara. 'This echoes more than ever with South Africa as our country battles against internal forces aimed at breaking our territorial integrity,' he added. The MK Party's endorsement marks a stark departure from the traditional position of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC), which has long backed the Polisario Front. Zuma's move may signal a growing divergence within South African politics regarding Western Sahara and broader continental alliances. The statement concluded with a firm recognition of Morocco's territorial claims: 'Morocco's effort to reclaim its full territorial integrity aligns with our party's commitment to preserving the sovereignty and the unity of the African state.' Tags: autonomy planBouritaMoroccoSouth AfricaWestern saharaZuma
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
PICTURES: uMkhonto weSizwe Party march for Mkhwanazi
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party marched through the streets of Joburg urging South Africans to show support for KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Supporters of the Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party march, 14 July 2025, in support of KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in Johannesburg. KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi claimed last week that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu sabotaged a probe into political killings by seizing 121 open case files in March and pushing to disband the team tasked with the investigation. In response, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa placed Police Minister put Senzo Mchunu on immediate leave. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen A group of about 300 MK Party supporters marched through the streets of Johannesburg singing war chants and struggle songs, dressed in military-type uniforms as they called for the support of KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The pack was led by a group of elderly men and women in camouflage, which the MK Party indicated are actual uMkhonto weSizwe veterans. A supporter of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party gestures while wearing a t-shirt featuring the face of party leader Jacob Zuma and Vladimir Putin, among others. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Supporters of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party gather at Beyers Naude Square, in Johannesburg. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Supporters of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party march past the ANC headquarters Luthuli House. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen MORE: Paul Weinberg: A history in black and white photography
Eyewitness News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
ANC says Zuma well within his rights to approach court to challenge his axing
JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) says its former President Jacob Zuma is well within his rights to approach the courts and challenge his axing from the party. On Thursday, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party released a media statement saying its leader has launched a high court challenge over terminating his ANC membership. The ANC expelled Zuma in 2024 after finding him guilty of bringing the party into disrepute by forming another political organisation. READ: Zuma to serve ANC with legal demand to have his membership stated reinstated Speaking on the sidelines of a Freedom Charter anniversary event in Soweto on Thursday, ANC deputy general secretary, Nomvula Mokonyane weighed in on the matter. 'Nobody is going to be deprived of the right to use all the institutions that protect this hard-won democracy. Let him go through that. These courts are meant exactly to deepen democracy in line with the Freedom Charter. Forty years ago, you would not dare take any government department or any structure of the apartheid government to court. You would be deemed a terrorist.'
Eyewitness News
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Farm murders and rural safety take prominence on parliamentary agenda
CAPE TOWN - Farm murders and rural safety were back on the parliamentary agenda on Friday, where parties debated the need for a better response to rural crime to ensure food security. The debate comes not too long after President Cyril Ramaphosa and a South African delegation visited the US to convince the country that there's no targeting of white farmers, saying the farmers are just victims of high crime. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has also used the debate to reiterate its opposition to land expropriation without compensation, saying it threatens investor confidence. DA member of Parliament (MP) and spokesperson Willie Aucamp opened the debate, saying the issue of rural safety cuts to the heart of the country's stability and food security. "For too long, the brutality of farm attacks as well as the effect that it has on food security have been ignored. But, finally, this house has been forced to confront the truth." But the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party's Andile Mngxitama says the commercial agriculture sector is still oppressive towards black people, who he says suffer the most on farms. "The commercial agricultural sector remains the bastion of naked racism and systemic violence against black people. The oppressive relations inherited from the past continue in democratic South Africa."
IOL News
02-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
We don't need American solutions -Zuma
Jacob Zuma criticised President Ramaphosa's high-profile ministerial delegation to Washington, D.C., aimed at mending strained diplomatic relations with the Trump administration and attracting investment. Former South African president Jacob Zuma has issued a pointed rebuke of President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent diplomatic outreach to the United States, suggesting that foreign involvement in domestic matters undermines national sovereignty. Addressing a crowd of his uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party supporters in KwaMaphumulo over the weekend, Zuma questioned the legitimacy and wisdom of appealing to international actors, particularly the United States, for assistance with South Africa's internal challenges. 'Why must we expect strangers, sitting in Washington, to understand what we are going through?' Zuma asked during his speech. 'We know our problems better than anyone else. We should be the ones to solve them.' The comments come just weeks after President Ramaphosa led a high-profile ministerial delegation to Washington, D.C., to mend strained diplomatic ties with the Trump administration and attract investment amid growing economic pressures at home. The visit included meetings at the White House and with key business stakeholders, with the South African delegation seeking to promote technology partnerships and quell rising tensions over land reform and crime. Relations between Pretoria and Washington have recently soured over controversial remarks from US officials alleging human rights violations and accusing the South African government of mismanaging key sectors. Ramaphosa's team used the visit to push back against what they termed 'inflammatory rhetoric' and to reaffirm South Africa's commitment to democratic principles. Zuma, however, painted the outreach as a desperate move by an administration out of touch with its people. He stopped short of naming Ramaphosa directly but left little doubt about whom his remarks were aimed at.
