Tags : Western Sahara, Morocco, African Union, African Union Peace and Security Council, AUPSC, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic’s, SADR,
According to The Panafrikanist, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic’s (SADR) decision to run for the Northern Africa seat on the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) for the 2026–2028 term represents a major political turning point within the African Union (AU). What was expected to be a routine election is portrayed as a decisive confrontation that undermines Morocco’s long-standing position on Western Sahara and exposes the fragility of its neo-colonial narrative.
Political Significance of the Candidature
The election, scheduled for February 2026 during the AU Executive Council’s Ordinary Session, places the Sahrawi Republic in direct competition with Morocco and Libya. According to the article, the importance of this contest goes far beyond the outcome of the vote itself. Observers cited argue that SADR has already achieved a political victory by asserting its legitimacy, visibility, and institutional equality within the AU.
Collapse of Morocco’s Narrative
For decades, Morocco has claimed that the Sahrawi Republic does not exist and that the Western Sahara issue is a “closed case.” The article contends that Morocco’s participation in an electoral contest against SADR fundamentally contradicts this claim. By campaigning against the Sahrawi Republic in a formal AU process, Morocco implicitly recognizes it as a real political and institutional actor. This contradiction is described as a strategic defeat that precedes any electoral result.
Symbolism and Historical Context
The article emphasizes the symbolism of two parties to Africa’s last unresolved decolonization conflict competing within the AU’s key peace and security body. The Sahrawi Republic’s presence on the same ballot as Morocco is framed as a powerful reaffirmation of the AU’s founding principles: resistance to colonial domination, defense of self-determination, and sovereign equality among member states.
Morocco’s “Lose-Lose” Scenario
From a diplomatic standpoint, Morocco is depicted as trapped regardless of the outcome:
- If Morocco wins, it defeats a state it claims does not exist, thereby recognizing it in practice.
- If Morocco loses to SADR, the defeat would be historically damaging, symbolizing the failure of decades of denial.
- If neither wins, Morocco still fails to marginalize SADR, confirming its continued relevance and legitimacy within African institutions.
In all scenarios, the article asserts that Morocco loses the narrative battle.
Contrasting Records within the African Union
The article contrasts the two parties’ engagement with Pan-Africanism:
- Sahrawi Republic: Described as a principled and consistent participant since joining the Organization of African Unity in 1982, a founding member of the AU, and an active contributor to institutions such as the Peace and Security Council.
- Morocco: Criticized for withdrawing from the OAU in 1984, distancing itself from African solidarity, and aligning with external powers such as France, Israel, and Gulf states. Even after rejoining the AU, Morocco is portrayed as an outlier that weakens Africa’s decolonization agenda and fuels divisions.
Broader Implications
The SADR candidacy is framed as a re-centering of decolonization within the AU’s political agenda. It demonstrates, according to the article, that diplomatic pressure and narrative manipulation cannot erase a people’s right to self-determination or institutional participation.
Conclusion
The article concludes that Morocco’s assertion that Western Sahara is a settled issue has effectively collapsed. By engaging in this election, Morocco has publicly acknowledged the Sahrawi Republic’s existence and endurance. Regardless of the vote’s outcome, the Sahrawi Republic is said to have already won the most critical struggle: the battle for legitimacy, truth, and Africa’s collective conscience.
Read also : African Union: Moroccan manoeuvres against the SADR (Western Sahara)
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Read also : The Unspoken Realities of Morocco’s African Policy
#Western_Sahara #Morocco #African_Union #African_Union_Peace_and_Security_Council #AUPSC #Sahrawi_Arab_Democratic_Republic #SADR
