Rabat has accused Tunis of a hostile act after its neighbour invited the Polisario Front to a Japan-Africa Summit which began in Tunisia on Friday.
During his last public speech, delivered on August 20, the Moroccan sovereign warned that the Western Sahara issue is now “the prism through which Morocco considers its international environment”.
Friday, August 26, in the wake of Tunisia’s decision to invite officials of the Front, Rabat gave first proof of its new course of action on an international scale.
In a statement issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Moroccan government castigated the attitude of the Tunisian government within the framework of the TICAD (Japan-Africa Cooperation Forum) process, described as hostile.
“Tunisia, against the advice of Japan and in violation of the preparation process and the established rules, has decided unilaterally to invite the separatist entity”, read the official Moroccan statement in reference to the invitation sent by the Tunisian government to the Polisario front, backed by Algeria.
Morocco exercises sovereign rights over the former Spanish colony in the Sahara.
Rabat said the welcome given by the Tunisian leadership to the head of the separatist militia is a serious and unprecedented act, which deeply hurts the feelings of the Moroccan people and their living forces.
Moroccan diplomatic officials said in view of this development the kingdom has decided “not to participate in the 8th TICAD Summit which is being held in Tunisia on August 27 and 28”.
Rabat has also decided to immediately recall its ambassador in Tunis for consultation.
“This decision in no way affects the strong and intact ties between the Moroccan and Tunisian peoples, who are linked by a common history and a shared destiny”, a statement by the Moroccan diplomatic service said.
This decision “does not call into question either Morocco’s attachment to the interests of Africa and its action within the African Union nor does it call into question the kingdom’s commitment within TICAD”.
HA/Los/ggl/as/APA