The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) achieved a significant diplomatic victory at the Pan-African Parliament, inflicting a major setback on Morocco.
During the extraordinary session held in Midrand, South Africa, from April 28 to 30, 2026, the Sahrawi candidate was elected rapporteur of the provisional bureau tasked with overseeing the election of the North African representative to the presidency of the Pan-African Parliament, with 17 votes against 12 for his Moroccan opponent.
This success illustrates the growing support enjoyed by the Sahrawi Republic within the African Union, including in the North African region, and highlights Morocco’s isolation, which did not obtain any post in these votes. The defeat triggered a strong reaction from the Moroccan delegation, accused by several witnesses of having resorted to threats and contested practices to challenge the credibility of the vote.
A member of the African Union since 1982, the Sahrawi Republic has established itself as a consistent and committed actor in defending the continent’s founding values: peace, unity, and the right of peoples to self-determination. Its active participation in African institutions and its role in building the continental project reinforce its legitimacy in the face of Moroccan attempts at marginalization.
