Wednesday (November 10th): Morocco’s Bourita on Western Sahara

Naser Bourita - Morocco
Naser Bourita

Name? Nasser Bourita

Westphalian identity? Moroccan

Age? 52

Why is he in the news? Nasser Bourita, foreign minister of the Kingdom of Morocco, stated that Morocco was ready to “turn the page definitively” on the conflict over the disputed territory of Western Sahara without (!) giving up its legitimate claim. 

Why do we care? Because this conflict has been heating up over the past few weeks but so steadily that it never really made the news, Bourita’s statement allows us to look at it today. In September, longtime rival Algeria (and main supporter of the Polisario Front) broke off diplomatic relations with Morocco, accusing the Kingdom of hostile actions. Last week, three Algerians were killed in an attack which the Algerian government blamed Bourita’s government for. This poses the question, why does Bourita make this statement now? 

Why should you care? Maybe because Bourita was just reappointed as foreign minister in the new cabinet of newly elected Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. He is definitely trying to leave his own mark, but in Morocco’s foreign policy, nothing happens without the approval of King Mohammed the VI. If there is a positive signal from the King on this issue, you should care 3/10 because although it does not affect you personally, easing tensions is always good. 

Who else cares? The EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell. One month ago an EU court annulled all trade deals on agriculture and fishing between the EU and Morocco because, according to the court, they were agreed to without the consent of the people of Western Sahara. For Borrell and Bourita this means losing out on a lot of business and the only way to get this back is to have consent from the Saharawi people. 

Any further comments? The annulment of the trade deal is set to take effect two months after the ruling, maybe economic interests are the reason for Bourita’s statement on “turning the page definitively”?

Joshua Dario Hasenstab

General Coordinator