The absence of Morocco, a country with a key 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 militia “Polisario”, has not gone unnoticed, as reflected in the positions of several African countries.
These African countries which took part in the works of TICAD-8, expressed, in a firm and clear language, their regret for the absence of the Kingdom, “a pillar of Africa” and “prominent member of the African Union”, after Tunisia’s president received the leader of the “Polisario,” invited unilaterally by Tunisia, in violation of the preparation process and the established rules.
Regretting the absence of a key player in Africa at a summit that is supposed to promote constructive exchanges on key development issues of the continent, these countries conveyed powerful messages about the relevance and legitimacy of the Kingdom’s decision not to participate in TICAD 8.
Opening the summit, Senegalese President, Current African Union Chairman Macky Sall expressed his dissatisfaction and regretted that the summit is marked by the absence of Morocco, a “prominent member of the African Union.”
In line with the Senegalese position, the Central African Republic regretted the absence of Morocco from the summit.
The Central African Republic supports the statement of President Macky Sall, Current Chairman of the African Union regarding the absence of Morocco as well as the non-respect of the rules established for the participation in this Summit, said the Central African President, Faustin Archange Touadera during the proceedings of this conference.
The President of Guinea Bissau, Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Umaro Sissoco Embalo, left TICAD-8 to protest against the participation of “polisario” imposed by Tunisia.
Recalling the philosophy and essence of TICAD, Burundi regretted the absence of the Kingdom of 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 Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye during a plenary session on peace and security, held in the framework of TICAD.
In the same vein, Liberia said it was “surprised by the imposed presence of a delegation (of polisario) in violation of TICAD procedures.”
Liberia’s Foreign Minister, Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, called for “the suspension of this session until the problems relating to procedures are resolved.”
The Comoros Islands also expressed regret over the absence of Morocco, “a pillar of Africa.”
“I would like to express our regret for the absence of Morocco, a pillar of Africa for issues 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 the Forum.
Equatorial Guinea also expressed support for Morocco through its Foreign Minister, Simeon Oypno Esono Angue who said he regretted the absence of the Kingdom of Morocco, “a country of particular importance.”
Japan expressed its refusal of the participation of the polisario separatists in the TICAD-8.
During the first plenary session of the event, the Japanese delegation made a statement confirming that the presence of any entity, which Japan does not recognize as a sovereign state, at meetings related to TICAD 8, does not affect the country’s position on the status of that entity.
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