Former South African President Jacob Zuma's recent endorsement of Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara has sent shockwaves through political circles in both Pretoria and Algiers. In response, the South African Embassy in Algeria quickly organized a diplomatic forum in support of the Polisario Front. According to Algerian media, representatives from «around fifteen countries» attended the event, while the Polisario's press agency reported the presence of «about twenty ambassadors». Interestingly, both sources highlighted only two speeches: those of the South African ambassador and the Polisario representative in Algiers. The forum ended with a joint statement reiterating positions long familiar to attendees of similar pro-Polisario gatherings, whether held in Africa or elsewhere. Notably, South Africa had already held a session of this diplomatic forum in Algiers on April 29. It is unusual for such events, typically initiated by South Africa's diplomatic mission in Algeria in support of the Polisario, to occur in such close succession. This latest edition was clearly prompted by Jacob Zuma's backing, as leader of the MK party, for Morocco's autonomy plan in Western Sahara, a position strongly condemned by the ruling African National Congress (ANC). Just last week, Algeria sent envoys to Pretoria for discussions with South African officials and ANC members on the political fallout of Zuma's stance, and its implications for South Africa's recognition of the so-called «SADR», which it officially recognized in 2004. The issue was also raised on July 18 in Algiers during a meeting between Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf and his Polisario «counterpart», Mohamed Yeslem Beissat.
