Zambia cuts diplomatic ties with Western Sahara

Zambia has withdrawn its support and cut diplomatic ties with Western Sahara.

The decision was announced by Zambian foreign minister Henry Kalaba shortly after the Polisario Front Movement appointed Ibrahim Ghali as the new leader, to replace Mohamed Abdelazzi who died in May.

With this withdrawal, Zambia joins the host of African counties which have revoked ties with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

Morocco has welcomed the decision stressing that everyday international public opinion keeps discovering the reality of what they consider as the Polisario Front erroneous image of being the only legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people.

As Polisario continuously fights for its independence, Morocco has instead been suggesting the autonomy initiative by offering Western Sahara powers to manage local affairs within the framework of Morocco’s sovereign and territorial integrity.

The two sides have always failed to agree on the terms of a referendum and who is eligible to vote.

Polisario started in the 1970’s as a guerilla front fighting for independence but Morocco has always claimed the territory since the end of Spanish rule.