Dirco hits out at Zuma’s ‘fake diplomacy’ during Morocco trip

Zuma

Cape Town – The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has condemned former president Jacob Zuma and the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party for the use of the South African national flag during Zuma’s recent visit to Morocco, where he met with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.

According to reports, Zuma visited Morocco on 16 July, and publicly supported its claim over Western Sahara, a disputed territory annexed by Morocco in 1975.

His actions drew criticism, particularly for allegedly using the South African flag during the visit.

The region remains at the centre of a long-standing conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front, which advocates for the Saharawi people’s independence

According to The Citizen, Dirco spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said that Zuma attended the meeting not as a government representative, and that using the national flag in this context misrepresented the meeting as an official state engagement.

“While we respect the sovereign right of Morocco to invite individuals and groups, Dirco, on behalf of the government of South Africa, strongly protests the use of South African national symbols, in this instance the use of the South African national flag, in the meeting between Jacob Zuma and the foreign minister of the Kingdom of Morocco,” the report quoted Phiri as saying.

Dirco called it a breach of diplomatic protocol and stressed that national symbols like the flag should not be used in ways that imply state endorsement of non-governmental or opposition political activity.

South Africa has formally raised its objection with Morocco and urged the country to avoid such actions to maintain cordial bilateral relations.

The ANC labelled the act a “reckless and provocative” violation of diplomatic norms, accusing Morocco of foreign interference and Zuma of undermining the country’s sovereignty and constitutional order.

Reckless and provocative

“This reckless and provocative act constitutes a flagrant violation of international diplomatic norms and an unacceptable intrusion into South Africa’s internal political affairs. It is a dangerous attempt to delegitimise our constitutional order and discredit the authority of a democratically elected government. The inclusion of our national symbols in partisan activities hosted by foreign powers is not only misleading but also part of a broader agenda of foreign interference,” ANC national spokeperson Mahlengi Bhengu said in a statement.

The ANC called on the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to issue a formal diplomatic protest and demanded an explanation and apology from Morocco. The party further urged South Africans to reject what it described as a dangerous precedent threatening national unity and democratic values.

The ANC also condemned Zuma’s betrayal of principles such as Pan-Africanism, anti-colonial solidarity, and progressive internationalism.

Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, speaking at an ANC National Working Committee meeting in Cape Town, said Zuma’s actions reflect the behaviour of a “sellout” and accused him of dividing the nation by forming the MK Party for personal gain.

“We, as the ANC, will fight side-by-side for the self-determination of the Sahrawi people. Morocco must stop the occupation of Western Sahara. Zuma is no messiah,” Mbalula declared

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