From October 10 to 19, Laayoune will host the 45th edition of the African Championship of Champions Clubs in Handball (men and women). The tournament is organized by the Royal Moroccan Handball Federation (FRMH), under the aegis of the African Handball Confederation (CAHB). Although Algeria has banned its clubs from taking part in a competition organized in «occupied Western Sahara», 27 teams from 11 African countries have accepted the invitation from the FRMH and CAHB. The list of participants includes teams representing states recognizing the «SADR», such as Ethiopia's Mekelle and Mechal, competing in the men's competition, while Angola's Primeiro and Petro Atlético and Nigeria's Peacocks are taking part in the women's tournament. Tunisia is also participating in the 45th edition of the African Champion Clubs Handball Championship. It is represented by the Association Sportive Féminine de Sfax. In recent months, Morocco and Tunisia have resumed high-level contacts. The head of government, Aziz Akhannouch, met the former Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs in France. For his part, Nasser Bourita had a phone call with the new head of Tunisian diplomacy, Mohamed Ali Nafti. Algeria regularly boycotts continental sporting events held in Saharan cities. In 2020, the eastern neighbor withdrew from the African Futsal Nations Cup in Laayoune. Algiers also boycotted the 25th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations Senior Men's Handball, held in January 2022 in Guelmim and Laayoune. Last week, the Algerian president expressed his frustration at his country's isolation in Africa, particularly over the Sahara question. «The African Union has been trivialized», said Abdelmadjid Tebboune in an interview with local media on Saturday, October 4.
