Tunisia's defiance: hosting Polisario amid Morocco's sovereignty claims

In a striking challenge to Morocco's sovereignty, Tunisia has once again opened its doors to the Polisario Front separatists, allowing their delegation to participate in a conference titled “Building Social Cohesion in a Changing World” in Tunis. This move underscores Tunisia's ongoing campaign against Morocco's territorial integrity, despite widespread international backing for the latter.

Ayoub Mohamed Sidi, who claims the title of Central Director of Youth at the self-proclaimed “Ministry of Youth and Sports” of the so-called “Sahrawi Republic,” is boldly attending the event, reportedly at the invitation of the Catalan NGO NOVACT, known for its pro-Polisario stance. This incident reflects a troubling pattern of Tunisia's collusion with organizations that promote separatist narratives.

The conference is designed to gather various organizations and self-proclaimed experts from the Mediterranean region to discuss pressing challenges. However, it has also provided a platform for the Polisario to propagate its agenda, dressed up as “Sahrawi resistance”—a thinly veiled attempt to legitimize its claims through international discourse.

Tunisia's actions further highlight President Kaïs Saïed's alignment with Algeria, which has a vested interest in the Polisario's cause. Since August 2022, following Saïed's controversial welcome of Polisario leader Brahim Ghali at the Japan-Africa summit, diplomatic relations between Rabat and Tunis have soured significantly. Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned this act as a blatant affront, leading to an immediate recall of its ambassador from Tunisia.

The tensions have escalated to the point where Japan, an important player in African diplomacy, publicly denounced Tunisia's hosting of the separatist group during TICAD, clarifying that the presence of unrecognized entities does not reflect Japan's position on the Sahara dispute. Japan reaffirmed that TICAD is focused on development and should not be co-opted by political agendas.

Tunisia's shift from a neutral stance to a position that openly supports Algerian narratives is alarming. This change began in October 2021, when Tunisia abstained from voting on a UN Security Council resolution concerning the Sahara, signaling a departure from its historically neutral position. The following year, Tunisia's foreign minister attended a forum in Algeria designed to rally support for the Polisario, further aligning Tunisian diplomacy with Algerian interests.

As Tunisia continues to embrace Algeria's anti-Moroccan rhetoric, concerns grow over the future of Moroccan-Tunisian relations. King Mohammed VI has articulated that the Sahara issue is pivotal in shaping Morocco's international relations, emphasizing that it serves as a barometer for the sincerity of its partnerships. His recent speeches have reiterated the importance of recognizing Morocco's autonomy plan for the Sahara, which has garnered support from over 110 countries, including major powers like the United States and France.

In stark contrast, Algeria's support for the Polisario remains unwavering, even as it continues to exploit the plight of Sahrawis living in poor conditions in Tindouf camps. Tunisia's persistent collaboration with Polisario representatives indicates that the prospect of reconciliation between Rabat and Tunis is increasingly unlikely, as Tunisia deepens its involvement in Algeria's contentious agenda against Morocco.