Morocco facing a torrid time this year at the UN decolonization committee
by Jean-Jacques Cornish Morocco and its supporters face a particularly torrid time when the United Nations General Assembly to his week turns to the 17 colonies before the world organisation waiting to shake off occupiers and gain self-rule. The absolute monarchy in Rabat goes into the fourth committee of UNGA, which deals with decolonization issues, […]
Prosperous Algeria holds out a helping and secure hand
by Jean-Jacques Cornish Celebrating its national day Friday, Algeria is showing a new stable and well-heeled profile in relations with Africa. July 5 is the 62nd anniversary of Algeria’s independence from France. The 135-year French rule of the oil-rich North African state ended in a bloody eight-year liberation way in which Algerians popularly say not […]
South Africa is more highly thought of abroad than its own citizens believe
There is a growing belief among academics and political observers that South Africa will be ruled by an African National Congress coalition after next months election. This rests on the poor performance by the current ruling party in opinion polls indicating its will lose its overall parliamentary majority. This that has fallen from 62% when […]
What was Mali’s coup leader thinking turning his back on Algeria?
There are fewer global trouble spots where it is easier to say I told you so than Mali. The dirt-poor, landlocked West African country has made one bad decision after another. The military coups in 2020 and 2021 indubitably rank at the top of the list. The pretext for the putsches was that the authorities […]
Algeria offers world class conference facilities
Back home from my seventh visit to Algeria, I’m delighted at having witnessed that country’s transition from a regional trouble spot into a world class conference centre. Delighted because Algeria has uncompromisingly been one of South Africa’s firmest friends. As correspondent to the United Nations, I recall Algerians playing key roles in the world organization’s […]
Morocco acknowledged “glamour” of Saharawi President Brahim Ghali’s state visit to South Africa
Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita has broken his silence on Saharawi President Brahim Ghali’s state visit to South Africa, acknowledging the glamour of the event Ghali flew home with host President Cyril Ramaphosa’s assertion that the coloniaisation of Africa continued so long as Morocco maintained its illegal 47-year occupation of Western Sahara. Ramaphosa is expected […]
Morocco’s silent fury at official visit to South Africa by Saharawi President Brahim Ghali
Illegally occupying Western Sahara in defiance of the United Nations, Morocco is understandably furious about South Africa receiving the President of that country with all the bells and whistles of a Statevisit. President Brahim Ghali is meeting the MPs in Cape Town tonight and tomorrow having been received in Pretoria by President Cyril Ramaphosa who […]
Like Europe, Africa will learn that despite its promises, Morocco has little to offer
With their proximity to Europe, the countries of the Maghreb have become dab hands at the diplomatic game.. They tend to punch above their weight and are, when they wish to be, African, Arab or even southern European. Their position, just across the Mediterranean, makes them strategically difficult to disregard. If things go badly for […]
Morocco assumes apartheid South Africa’s role as Africa’s bully boy
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI skipped Kenyan President William Ruto’s inauguration ceremony in Nairobi this week. He’ll also miss Angolan President João Lourenço’s inauguration in Luanda tomorrow. Is this because Western Sahara President Brahim Ghali was and will be there? Or is he embarrassed about his envoy being caught lying about a meeting he had with […]
German Chancellor stomps on Ramaphosa’s careful diplomacy
As expected Russia’s invasion of Ukraine dominated today’s meeting at the Union Buildings of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The German leader stepped all over Ramaphosa’s careful explanation of why South African abstained in a United Nations General Assembly vote condemning Russian aggression. Ramaphosa carefully added that his German counterpart […]