On April 2, Elias M. Magosi, Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which comprises 16 member states, and Bah El Mad Abdellah, the Polisario representative in Botswana, signed a memorandum of understanding. However, the initiative has not been unanimously welcomed within the regional bloc. Several member states have criticized the decision for being made without prior consultation. Indeed, many of them do not recognize the Polisario or have cut ties with the separatist movement—among them Comoros, Zambia, Eswatini, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Malawi. These countries have also opened general consulates in Dakhla and Laayoune. The reaction from Morocco's allies within SADC was recently expressed through a note verbale from Malawi's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The document states: «Malawi does not recognize the said memorandum of understanding between SADC and the 'SADR' as a binding commitment and, consequently, the Republic of Malawi is not in any way obliged to comply with its provisions». Malawi also reaffirms in the note «its unwavering support for the Autonomy Plan as a pragmatic solution» to the Sahara issue. Lilongwe's reaction is seen as a strong signal of independence from South African influence in the sub-region, amid growing tensions over the Sahara dispute. Established in 1980 as the SADCC and officially becoming the SADC in 1992, the economic community now includes 16 Southern African countries. Its mission is to promote economic development, security, and political cooperation in the region. However, this latest crisis highlights the internal divisions that threaten its cohesion and authority.
