The lingering crisis between Morocco and the autonomy – seeking Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), disrupted the meeting of African Union ministers and experts in Dakar, Senegal on Thursday, forcing an adjournment till today.
Morocco, which just returned to the AU as a member objected to the attendance of SADR minister at the Tenth Joint Annual Meetings of the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning
and Integration and the Economic Commission for Africa Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
The newly-elected African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, President of the office of the committee of experts, Lizenga Maluleka, the ECA’s deputy Executive Secretary, Giovanne Biha, were in attendance. There were also African Union Commission’s Economic Affairs Commissioner, Anthony Mothae Maruping,Senegal’s Budget Minister, Birima Mangara, representatives of UN agencies and other stakeholders.
With the objection raised by Moroccan delegates over the presence of delegates of SADR, delegates from the host country, Senegal, suggested that the meeting be adjourned to allow a resolution. The suggestion was supported by delegates from Ivory Coast , who called for the adoption of an “African solution to an African problem”.
Participants at the meeting were palpably unhappy with Moroccan stance. The Senegalese delegation especially lamented the turn of events. “Delegates here are not diplomats and are probably not equipped to intervene appropriately in bringing solution to this matter. Let those whose job is solving problems of this nature, do their job. Let them come out with a way out after some frayed nerves may have calmed,” he said. The Nigerian delegation, wondered why Morocco, which was recently warmly welcomed back in January 2017 to the AU fold was posturing as a cog at the meeting.
However, the South African delegation, while praising the call by the Moroccan counterparts to follow due procedure, stressed that adherence to rules is very crucial, “but we must accept that in Africa we are struggling with serious matters of development as a group.”
The United Nations (UN) has not recognised the Saharawi Democratic Republic (SADR), but the world body, nonetheless, recognises the Polisario Front as the representatives of the SADR. The ECA adheres to the UN position at joint meetings. The body, however, is of the opinion that non-governing entity can participate in its meeting as associate member.
When the outgoing chairman of the bureau of committee of experts suggested that the Moroccan objection to SADR presence be thrown to votes by the delegates, Morocco vehemently disagreed. “You (outgoing chairman) must not personalise this matter. We must conduct the meeting on rules and regulations (of the UN). You are not in position
to take a vote. You have to look at the implication of such an action. There are procedures for amending the rule or procedure, which is done by a board of trustee, but not organising a vote to change
the rule of procedure,” a delegate from Morocco said. South Africa also questioned the idea of voting on the issue.
Delegates from the SADR, however, criticized the Moroccan stand, saying Morocco has only come back to the AU to divide the body and not to unite it. Leader of the SADR delegation told the News Agency of Nigeria that members of the delegation are representing the people of the region. “Our presence here does not in any way contradict any procedural requirements. Those deliberately out to cause mischief should be wary of the consequences of their actions,” he said.
He also described Morocco as an occupational force, even as the delegate advocated that views of all stakeholders must be adequately taken into consideration.
During previous editions, which Morocco attended, the opening ceremonies were often divided into two, with delegates from Morocco attending one, while delegates representing SADR attended the other. Morocco often chose to attend the ones its delegates termed ECA, absenting themselves from the ones they called AU meeting.
Mangara, in his welcome address to the meeting said his country was doing all it can to structurally transform its economy for the benefit of every citizen. He said inequalities and youth unemployment were being tackled as well as other related problems that lead to poverty. He said in job creation, youth and women on the continent should be given priority. Senegal’s budget minister lauded the ECA, the AUC and their partners for convening a meeting to specifically tackle growth, inequalities and unemployment on the continent. “It is these meetings which serve as outstanding platforms to discuss Africa’s problems,” he said.
“I’m convinced that the debates will lead to very important recommendations that are important for the future development of our dear Africa.”
The Tenth Joint Annual Meetings will deliberate on the theme of “Growth, inequality and unemployment”.
The conference will also explore measures for reducing inequality and extreme poverty on the continent in order to achieve the targets of the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan (2013-2023) of Agenda 2063 and the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, among other issues.
NAN
