Tunisia president's meeting with Polisario chief 'a stab in the back', Morocco politicians say
Tunisia president's meeting with Polisario chief 'a stab in the back', Morocco politicians say
'Tunisia is not the friend it once was,' former Moroccan prime minister Saadeddine al-Othmani said after Kais Saied met the head of Western Sahara's separatist military force.
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Tunisian President Kais Saied cause ire on Friday by meeting with Polisario chief Brahim Ghali [Getty]
of all stripes have described Kais Saied’s decision to meet with the head of Western Sahara’s separatist military forceÌýas a "stab in the back"Ìýthat threatens Morocco’s sovereignty.Ìý
Tunisian President Kais Saied met on Friday withÌýÌý- the head of the Polisario Front andÌýpresident of the self-proclaimed Ìý-Ìýwhile in Tunisia to attend the Japanese-African investment conference TICAD8.
The Polisario is fighting for an independent state in the , a vast stretch of strategically valuable, mineral-rich desert Morocco sees as part of its own territory.
After the meeting, aÌýfuriousÌýÌýrecalled its ambassador in Tunis.ÌýTunisia, in response to Morocco's decision, announced it was recalling its ambassador to Rabat for consultation.
Moroccan parties of all stripesÌýhave released statements condemning Kais Saied's move. Ìý
The National Rally for Independents, the leading party in Morocco’s current coalition government, described the meeting as "an unprecedented hostile act, aimed against Morocco and its territorial sovereignty".Ìý
"This is concrete proof that Kais Saied is in a reckless cycle of behaviour, taking recklessly hostile actions against friendly countries - actions which will not benefit the Tunisian people in any way,"Ìýtheir statement read.
"In fact, these uncalculated, rash decisions support the enemies of Morocco, that only seek to further dangerous divisions, threatening the prosperity and democracy that our peoples deserve."
The Socialist Union of Popular Forces called the moveÌýa "stab in Morocco'sÌýback" andÌý"a blatant breach and disrespect to the spirit of bilateral relations"Ìýbetween Tunisia and Morocco.
Opposition party Socialist Progress condemned Saied for his "reckless behaviour", which it saidÌýrepresents "a watershed moment for Tunisia’s current path of populist deviance".Ìý
The Islamic Party struck a more ebullient tone, arguing that "President Saied’s actions will have no impact whatsoever on Morocco’s security and national unity when it comes to the Western Sahara".
Former prime minister Saadeddine al-Othmani proclaimed that "Tunisia is not the friend it once was"Ìýfor receiving Ghali.
"It’s especially painful when it isÌýyour brother stabbing you in the back,"Ìýal-Othmani tweeted.Ìý
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