‘Furious’ Morocco recalled Ireland ambassador in row over Western Sahara

» Mark Moloney

The Polisario Front was set up shortly before the Moroccan takeover of 1975 and in 1979 the organisation was recognised by the UN as the sole representative of the Saharawi people.

MOROCCO temporarily recalled its ambassador to Ireland in protest at a meeting between TDs and the leader of Western Sahara earlier this week.

The President of Western Sahara, Mohamed Abdelaziz, met Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, Senator David Cullinane and Seán Crowe TD in the Dáil at the end of October. During his visit he was also received by President Michael D Higgins, Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore and Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney.

However, Moroccan Government officials were said to be furious over the meetings and recalled their ambassador for “consultations” earlier this week. The ambassador has since returned.

Morocco claims that Western Sahara is an integral part of its territory despite 84 states recognising it as an independent nation. While Ireland does not officially recognise the country, it does support the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination and a referendum on the future of the region. Sinn Féin has been a long-time supporter of the struggle of the Polisario Front for Saharawi independence.

And this week, during a visit to Morocco, a delegation of Irish TDs were quizzed by unhappy Moroccan Government officials in what was said to be an “embarrassing incident”.

The delegation consisted of Fine Gael and Labour TDs and senators along with one Independent TD who travelled to Morocco at the invitation of the Moroccan House of Representatives.

A spokesperson for Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs said:

“The Moroccan Government does not like our position on Western Sahara. It's just one of these things.”

Western Sahara is the scene of Africa’s longest-running territorial dispute. Originally a Spanish colony, the UN ordered the decolinisation of the region in 1965 and it was subsequently taken over by Morocco. The Polisario Front was set up shortly before the Moroccan takeover of 1975 and in 1979 the organisation was recognised by the UN as the sole representative of the Saharawi people.
Between 1975 and 1991 the Polisario Front fought against both Morocco and Mauritania (backed by France) who claimed ownership over the territory. More than 12,000 people were killed before a ceasefire came into effect in September 1991 and a peace process is ongoing.