India welcomes Morocco’s return to African Union
Morocco's re-admission into the African Union in January is after more than three decades
New Delhi: India on Wednesday congratulated Morocco on its return to the African Union (AU).
“India and Africa have a historic relationship and this has grown into a sustainable partnership. India wholeheartedly welcomes Morocco’s return to AU, which has strengthened Africa’s Unity,” a statement from the Indian ministry of external affairs said.
India’s message follows Morocco’s re-admission into the African Union in January more than three decades after it left the body over the latter’s recognition of the independence of the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
Morocco, the only country in Africa that was not a member of the AU, left its predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity, in 1984 after a majority of the member states recognised Western Sahara.
A former Spanish colony, Western Sahara was annexed by Morocco in 1975 and was the focus of conflict between Morocco and indigenous people led by the Polisario Front until a UN-brokered truce brought the armed insurgency to a halt in 1991.
Thirty-nine countries supported Morocco’s bid for re-admission into the AU this week but nine voted against it, news reports said.
India has been following an aggressive woo Africa strategy with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Pranab Mukherjee and vice president Hamid Ansari visiting about a dozen African countries among them last year.
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First Published:16 Feb 2017, 01:05 AM IST
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