Morocco’s Diplomatic Disgrace at TICAD: Aggression Fails to Silence Sahrawi Delegation – Video

✏️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | August 23rd, 2024 — In a deeply shameful episode for Morocco, the August 23, 2024 preparatory session of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) was marred by an aggressive altercation instigated by Moroccan officials attempting to physically expel the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) delegation. This incident starkly underscored Morocco’s ongoing hostility toward the Sahrawi cause and its relentless efforts to delegitimize the SADR’s diplomatic standing.

Despite Morocco’s orchestrated attempts to block the SADR’s participation in the high-level gathering, which was attended by senior officials and endorsed by the African Union, the Sahrawi delegation, led by their ambassador, successfully maintained its rightful place at the conference. The Sahrawi delegation’s presence was bolstered by strong backing from sympathetic nations and the African Union Commission, which firmly upheld the established protocols governing AU partnerships, ensuring the legitimacy of the Sahrawi representatives.

Moroccan diplomats, visibly incensed by the inclusion of the Sahrawi delegation, resorted to a shocking display of physical aggression. In scenes captured on video and rapidly disseminated across social media, Moroccan officials, including former Ambassador to Addis Ababa Mohamed Arrouchi, violently sought to remove the nameplate of the Sahrawi delegation, igniting a furor among the assembled diplomats. The chaotic altercation drew swift condemnation from various quarters, with numerous diplomats expressing open solidarity with the Sahrawi ambassador.

The co-chair of the session, Japan’s TICAD ambassador, firmly rebuked the Moroccan delegation’s actions, reiterating that political disputes must be addressed through diplomatic dialogue, not brute force. The situation culminated in the expulsion of the Moroccan diplomat responsible for the assault, while several other Moroccan representatives exited the venue in apparent disgrace.

Following the disruption, the conference proceeded without further incident, and the Sahrawi delegation successfully continued their participation. Their involvement in this critical diplomatic forum not only affirmed the SADR’s status as a legitimate representative on the international stage but also stood as a resounding defiance of Morocco’s repeated attempts to suppress their voice.

This public debacle further exposes Morocco’s ongoing campaign to deny the Sahrawi people their right to self-determination, starkly illustrating the regime’s incapacity for constructive diplomacy. The footage of the altercation, which included diplomats condemning the actions with shouts of “Ayb alik” (meaning “Shame on you!”), has sparked widespread international criticism, casting a spotlight on the Moroccan delegation’s humiliating behavior.

Moreover, the Sahrawi delegation had already participated in the African consultation meeting on August 22, 2024, further solidifying their diplomatic foothold and signaling the persistent global recognition of their cause. Morocco’s failed attempts to derail these proceedings have not only backfired but also highlighted the regime’s increasingly isolated position on the issue of Western Sahara.

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