Morocco, Western Sahara, etc.

[futon]

Africa is too big, but every once in a while, something with Morocco drops in, although not quite violent. The trouble below is indicative of deep seated problems with north west Africa.

TOKYO: The preparatory meeting of the Tokyo International Summit on Development in Africa (TICAD) was disrupted when a quarrel between representatives of Algeria and Morocco erupted forcing the suspension of the session on Friday.

The issue at stake was the participation of Ambassador Lamine Baali, representative of the Saharawi Republic, in the meeting although Japan didn’t recognize the entity. 

According to what is showed in a video circulated on social media, a member from the Moroccan delegation was trying to remove the name plate of the Sahrawi Republic placed in front of Baali.

An unidentified member of the Algerian delegation rushed to the spot to prevent the Moroccan representative from the action, and both got engaged in a pushing and fighting brawl, falling to the ground. 

The session was suspended and the chair’s voice could be heard telling the delegates that “those who interrupt the session will be asked to leave the meeting.”

Diplomatic sources told Arab News Japan that Morocco asked the organizers not to let the Sahrawi representatives participate since Japan does not recognize the entity that calls itself the Saharawi Republic.

It is, however, recognized by some countries in the African Union led by Algeria and South Africa.

...

https://www.arabnews.jp/en/japan/article_129025/

 

[sunday]

The Western Sahara is a case of a country annexing another by force.

Saharawi Separatists wanted independence from Spain, they got it, the country was temporarily split between Morocco and Mauritania expecting some kind of independence referendum, Mauritania yielded her part to Morocco, and Saharawis found Morocco was less of a pushover than a Spain transitioning from dictatorship to democracy.

Algeria, always Morocco's enemy, gave sanctuary to the Saharawis and was aligned with Pact of Warsaw pre-1991, so Morocco found herself as the darling of the Western World, receiving military help from USA. Morocco also has a monopoly on the production of phosphoric acid, a key ingredient of most sodas sold in the world, like Coca-Cola. Thus they have money to buy Israeli weapon systems, plus some more arms donated by some stupid Spanish government or another.

Edited October 7, 2024 by sunday

[TrustMe]

To add to what Sunday posted.

Algeria outspends Morocco on defence by about 70%, mostly on Russian and increasingly Chinese equipment. They also cool equipment like the Russian land attack missile equivalent of the US Tomahawk, the Klub, fitted to it's submarines. Political wise, Algeria generally keeps itself to itself.

Edited October 7, 2024 by TrustMe

[futon]

Marco Rubio favors Morocco.

https://northafricapost.com/81818-marco-rubio-u-s-next-top-diplomat-an-advocate-of-sanctions-against-algerian-regime.html

[RETAC21]

1 hour ago, futon said:

Marco Rubio favors Morocco.

https://northafricapost.com/81818-marco-rubio-u-s-next-top-diplomat-an-advocate-of-sanctions-against-algerian-regime.html

The Biden administration did too. Since Trump recognized that the WS is now owned by Morocco, Morocco has become a preferred partner of the US.