ANC’s Obed Bapela Punished for Betraying the Sahrawi Cause
Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met in Rabat with a South African delegation led by Obed Bapela, Vice President of the Committee of International Relations of the African National Congress (ANC). Image from x/@Mares30com
As of 12 October, 2024, the Deputy Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) Sub-Committee on International Relations Mr. Obed Bapela, has been removed from national executive committee (NEC). This follows a diplomatic faux pas where the senior member of South Africa’s revolutionary party allegedly misrepresented himself and the party’s stance on Western Sahara.
Reports suggest that Bapela, during a recent visit to Morocco, made remarks supporting intensified economic ties between South Africa and Morocco and its full reintegration into the African Union. ANC is known for its vocal stance on the Sahrawi cause, often calling out Morocco for its illegal occupation of Western Sahara, also known as the ‘Last Colony of Africa’.
According to close sources, Bapela’s statements and activities during his supposedly personal visit to Morocco were perceived to contradict the ANC’s official policy on the matter. His actions which included meetings with Moroccan top political officials suggested that the ANC was advocating for stronger economic and political ties with Morocco, said the source.
In a statement issued on 9 October by ANC National Spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, the party firmly reiterated its long-standing position of solidarity with the people of Western Sahara. Since its inception, the ANC has been committed to anti-colonialism and the right to self-determination, aligning itself with the struggles of oppressed peoples globally. The ANC says it condemns Morocco’s occupation as a violation of international law.
The party reaffirmed its commitment to the Sahrawi cause in 2022 during its 55th National Conference, where it called for the decolonization of Western Sahara and the implementation of United Nations resolutions advocating for a referendum on the region’s independence.
Nomvula Mokonyane, the 1st Deputy Secretary-General and Chairperson of the International Relations Sub-Committee, requested Bapela to clarify his remarks, which appear to The party emphasized that any unofficial engagements that could be perceived as contradicting this stance are not sanctioned. Mr. Bapela has been asked to refrain from further unofficial engagements with Moroccan officials or political parties.
