Tokyo (Japan) 25 August 2024 (SPS)– The ministerial meeting of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) concluded today with the adoption of a final communiqué that isolates Morocco and confirms the right of all African Union member states to participate.

The final communiqué reaffirmed the right of all “African Union Member States» to participate in TICAD meetings, leaving Morocco isolated as the only country opposing this decision.

According to the communiqué, participants decisively resolved the issue of participation in TICAD meetings in favor of the Sahrawi state. The communiqué clearly and unequivocally enshrines the right of «all African Union member states to participate in Africa-Japan partnership meetings,» by adopting the term «African Union Member States» in the first paragraph of this final communiqué, as opposed to the wording Morocco tried to impose, which was to reserve participation to «states recognized by the United Nations.»

It is worth noting, as the communiqué mentions in a footnote at the bottom of the page, that Morocco was the only country to express reservations about the phrase «African Union member states.»

Thus, this clear decision by the TICAD conference represents a new defeat for Morocco, which found itself completely isolated in its endeavor to exclude the Sahrawi Republic from this partnership.

Moreover, none of the African countries considered by Morocco to be «traditional allies» supported the Moroccan stance. In fact, many African diplomats expressed their frustration and disappointment with the Moroccan delegation’s irresponsible and undiplomatic behavior, which tarnishes the continent and its officials. (SPS)