After Malawi, the Union of the Comoros, and Zambia, Eswatini has now joined the list of Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states condemning the agreement signed on April 2 between the regional bloc and the Polisario Front. In an official verbal note, Eswatini's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its «unwavering support for the autonomy plan proposed by the Kingdom of Morocco». The note emphasized that «the Kingdom of Eswatini does not consider the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the so-called Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) to be a binding agreement. Consequently, Eswatini considers itself not legally bound by its provisions». The country also expressed its strong support for Morocco's territorial integrity to the Polisario's allies within the SADC. It's worth noting that Eswatini inaugurated a consulate in Laayoune on October 7, 2020, in a ceremony attended by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Eswatini's Foreign Minister Thulisile Dladla. Among SADC member states that have recognized Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara by opening consulates in Laayoune or Dakhla, only the Democratic Republic of Congo has yet to publicly denounce the deal between the SADC executive secretary and the Polisario. Notably, South Africa has deployed troops in support of the DRC in its conflict with opposition forces backed by Rwanda. The DRC has maintained a consulate in Laayoune since December 19, 2020.
