Morocco’s accession to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) does not imply a “recognition” of an entity that poses a threat to its territorial integrity and national unity, announced Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.
He made his remarks in reference to the “Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic” that was unilaterally declared by the separatist Polisario Front.
Speaking to the press at the conclusion of 12th Extraordinary Summit of the African Union in Niamey, Bourita said Morocco was strongly involved in establishing the AfCFTA, but its ratification of the agreement cannot be interpreted as an “acknowledgment” of the Polisario.
Rabat was acting according to a clear doctrine and principles in differentiating between membership in an organization and the recognition of entities that could be part of it, but which Morocco does not recognize, he continued.
He wondered how an entity that has no territory could belong to a free trade area. He said that if it wanted to carry out trade from Tinduf city, then it will be considered as internal trade within Algeria, another member of the AU.
Referring to the situation as an “obvious aberration”, he also wondered which currency it will use to perform its operations.
Separately, Bourita noted that AfCFTA is fully in line with the vision of King Mohammed VI for an integrated and prosperous Africa.
The establishment of AfCFTA should encourage the establishment of “Made in Africa” brand, which will open up important prospects for the development of enterprises and bolster regional relations through increased trade and investment among African countries, he told the Moroccan Press Agency (MAP).
