It’s Wednesday, July 16, 2025, and the political pot in Southern Africa is simmering. Former South African President Jacob Zuma and his uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party have stirred things up, announcing their backing of Morocco’s claim to the Western Sahara, alongside the kingdom’s proposed autonomy plan for the region.
In a move that’s sure to spark debate, Zuma declared the MK Party’s firm belief that Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal offers a sensible framework, enabling significant self-governance for the Sahrawi people while safeguarding Morocco’s overall sovereignty. This comes after recent talks between Zuma and Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita.
This endorsement places the MK Party firmly in line with a growing chorus of international voices, including heavy hitters like the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Spain, who have also thrown their weight behind the autonomy plan.
According to Zuma, the party acknowledges the historical and legal context behind Morocco’s claim, further stating that the country’s push for territorial integrity aligns with the MK Party’s dedication to the unity and sovereignty of African nations.
While acknowledging the international support for the Autonomy Proposal, Zuma emphasized that this is a potential path toward peace, stability, and development, and urged the global community to embrace the plan.
This stance is further solidified in the MK party’s policy platform, “Strategic Partnership for African Unity, Economic Emancipation, and Territorial Integrity,” released last month. This document underscores the long-standing ties between Morocco and the Sahara, dating back to pre-colonial times. It recognizes the Green March as a non-violent liberation movement and historical bond.
In 2017, Zuma and His Majesty King Mohammed VI met on the sidelines of the AU–EU Summit in Côte d’Ivoire, opening up new momentum in bilateral relations between the two countries. This recent announcement shows the relationship between South Africa and Morocco is still growing.
