The absence of Morocco, this country with an essential role on the African scene, from the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 8), tarnished by the participation of the leader of the separatist militias of the “polisario”, n did not go unnoticed, as evidenced by the positions of several African countries.
In language as firm as it is clear, these African countries which took part in the work of TICAD-8 expressed their regret, from the start of the summit, following the absence of the Kingdom, “a pillar of the Africa” and “prominent member of the African Union”, following the Tunisian President’s welcome to the leader of the “Polisario”, unilaterally invited by Tunisia, in violation of the preparation process and the established rules.
Regretting the absence of a key player in Africa from a summit supposed to promote constructive exchanges around the main issues related to the development of the continent, these countries sent strong signals as to the relevance and legitimacy of the Kingdom’s decision not to participate in TICAD 8.
Opening the work of the summit, the Senegalese President and Chairman-in-Office of the African Union, Macky Sall, was quick to express his dissatisfaction, regretting that TICAD 8 was marked by the absence of Morocco, an “eminent member of the African Union.
Thus, he expressed the hope of seeing this problem “find a lasting solution in the future for the smooth running of our organization and our partnership in a serene and peaceful setting”.
Aligning itself with the Senegalese position, the Central African Republic regretted Morocco’s absence from the work of the summit.
“The Central African Republic supports the declaration of President Macky Sall, Chairman of the African Union, regarding the absence” of Morocco as well as the non-respect of the rules established for participation in this Summit”, said the Central African President. , Mr. Faustin Archange Touadera during the work of this conference.
For his part, the President of Guinea Bissau and current President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mr. Umaro Sissoco Embalo, left the 8th TICAD to protest against the participation of the ” polisario” imposed by Tunisia.
Recalling the philosophy and essence of TICAD which works in unison of visions, Burundi, meanwhile, also regretted the Kingdom’s absence from the Africa-Japan summit.
“We regret the absence of the Kingdom of Morocco from Ticad 8 following the lack of consensus during the negotiations that preceded these meetings,” said Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye during a plenary session on peace and security within the framework of TICAD.
“Our most ardent wishes from Burundi is to avoid such divisions during the next sessions”, he insisted.
In reaction to this hostile approach to the Kingdom, Liberia said it was “surprised by the imposed presence of a delegation (Editor’s note polisario) in violation of TICAD procedures”.
Expressing the same regret for Morocco’s absence, the Liberian Foreign Minister, Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, called for “the suspension of this session until the procedural problems are resolved”.
And to stress the importance of respecting the rules and procedures relating to the invitation of persons and delegations, established jointly with Japan, calling for compliance with the decisions of the African Union relating to the format of participation in meetings of partnership.
The Comoros Islands also expressed their regret over the absence of Morocco, “a pillar of Africa”, from TICAD 8.
“I would like to express our regret for the absence of Morocco, a pillar of Africa for reasons of compliance with the rules established so far for the organization of this Ticad summit”, said the President of the Comoros Islands, Azali Assoumani, at the opening of this conference.
Support for Morocco was also expressed by Equatorial Guinea, whose Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Simeón Oypno Esono Angue, expressed his regret at the absence of the Kingdom of Morocco, “a country of ‘particular importance’ of TICAD.
Japan has denounced and expressed its refusal of the participation of the “polisario” separatists in the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-VIII).
The Japanese delegation made a statement during the deliberations of the first plenary session of the TICAD-VIII summit, in which it reaffirmed that “TICAD is a forum for discussion on the development of Africa” and that “the presence of any entity, which Japan does not recognize as a sovereign state, at TICAD 8-related meetings, including the Senior Officials Meeting and the Summit Meeting, does not affect Japan’s position regarding the status of such entity.” .
Morocco had decided not to participate in the 8th TICAD Summit and to immediately recall in consultation the Ambassador of HM the King in Tunis “following the attitude of this country within the framework of the process of the Japan-Africa cooperation forum which blatantly confirms his hostility towards the Kingdom”.