On July 15, 2025, Morocco received an official visit from Jacob Zuma, the former South African president (2009-2018) and current leader of the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party. Jacob Zuma met the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, in Rabat. During this meeting, he expressed his unequivocal support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative as a political solution to the Sahara conflict. This support is in line with the position recently taken by his MK party, which recognised ‘Morocco’s historical and legitimate sovereignty over its Sahara’ and described the autonomy plan as ‘the only viable and lasting solution’ for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
On an official visit to Rabat, capital of Morocco, former South African president Jacob Zuma, president of the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, was received on 15 July 2025 by foreign affairs minister Nasser Bourita. At the end of his meeting with the head of Moroccan diplomacy, Jacob Zuma expressed explicit support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative for the Sahara, marking a symbolic turning point in relations with a major figure in South Africa.
Our party, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), recognises the historical and legal context underlying Morocco’s claim to the Sahara. The Kingdom’s efforts to recover the integrity of its territory are in line with the party’s commitment to the preservation of the sovereignty of African states.
Jacob Zuma, Former head of state, Chairman of the MK party – South Africa
Following Jacob Zuma’s statement, his party, through the voice of Magasela Mzobe, recognised the historical and legal context of the Moroccan claim. The party supports Moroccan autonomy as a balanced solution and calls on the international community to support this initiative for the sake of stability in the region. According to Magasela Mzobe, this plan offers a path towards stability, peace and development in the region.
While taking into account the growing international and continental support that the Moroccan autonomy proposal has gained over these couple of years, our party believes that this proposal allows for significance local governance by the population of the Sahara region, while ensuring that Morocco retains it’s crucial sovereignty.
Jacob Zuma’s visit to Rabat comes at a time when support for the Moroccan initiative, led by the Kingdom since 2007, is growing. Following the accession of several European and African countries, including most recently the United Kingdom, the possible alliance with an influential figure from southern Africa could intensify tensions on the South African government, which is being forced to reconsider its diplomatic position on this issue.
