2023-11-09 09:24:41
The Arab-African summit scheduled for Riyadh on November 11 has been postponed. Saudi Arabia said this was due to Israeli attacks on Gaza, but there are additional political and territorial factors to consider. The country does not want the Polisario Front, which campaigns for the independence of the Sahara, to participate in the summit. This article explores the reasons behind the postponement of the summit and its impact on relations between Arab and African countries.
Saudi Arabia announced Tuesday evening the postponement of the fifth Arab-African summit scheduled for November 11. Instead, emergency summits of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation will be held to discuss Israel’s war on Gaza. The Saudi Foreign Ministry justified the move by saying it would ensure that political events in the region do not affect the Arab-African partnership.
According to media reports, the Sahara is also at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s decision to postpone the Arab-African summit, because Saudi Arabia supports Morocco and considers the possible presence of the Polisario Front at the summit as a “red line » which she cannot tolerate. Therefore, the summit was postponed to avoid any political tension during the event.
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The sustained presence of the Polisario Front by countries like South Africa and Algeria, which recognize the Polisario is also an influential factor in the postponement of the summit. The support of these countries for the Polisario is in contradiction with the position of Saudi Arabia which supports Morocco.
The Arab-African summit aims to strengthen ties between Arab and African countries. However, political and territorial disputes hinder its harmonious realization. The postponement of the summit, alongside emergency summits to be held instead, reflects ongoing tensions in the region. It is essential that Arab and African countries work together to find lasting political and territorial solutions in order to maintain a strong Arab-African partnership.
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