Monday, July 21, 2025
spot_imgspot_imgspot_imgspot_img
HomeNewsAfricaWill the Moroccan-Ethiopian military rapprochement lead to Ethiopia withdrawing its support for...

Will the Moroccan-Ethiopian military rapprochement lead to Ethiopia withdrawing its support for the Polisario?

The Military Rapprochement Between Morocco and Ethiopia – A Knockout Blow to Separatists?

We have recently witnessed a significant rapprochement between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, a rapprochement extending to the military and security fields. But does this signal the end of the separatists? And how will this relationship impact the regional landscape?

The question at hand: Could this military partnership lead to a radical shift in Ethiopia’s stance on the Western Sahara issue, particularly with the potential withdrawal of recognition of the “Polisario”? If this happens, it would be like a golden goal that seals the match in favor of Rabat.

The recent rapprochement between Rabat and Addis Ababa wasn’t born overnight; it’s the result of a long-standing economic and political cooperation. Since King Mohammed VI’s visit to Ethiopia in 2016, which marked the beginning of a long-term partnership between the two countries, we are now witnessing the implementation of this agreement on the ground across various fields, including military cooperation.

Key Points:

  1. Will this rapprochement bring Ethiopia closer to Morocco in the Western Sahara issue? This question carries significant weight in the balance of regional relations, especially in the face of growing security challenges in the area.
  2. How will alliances in Africa be affected by this rapprochement? And will this new cooperation impact Morocco’s relations with other countries, like Egypt, which closely monitors Addis Ababa’s moves in the context of the Renaissance Dam crisis?

In this context, it’s important to note that Ethiopia has historically been a strong supporter of the “Polisario” Front. But with the changing political circumstances over the last decade, and with Moroccan diplomacy emerging as a key player on the continent, it seems that Addis Ababa is reassessing its position.

Could this security partnership be the key that opens a new era in Morocco-Ethiopia relations? Experts believe this partnership could lead to significant shifts in the regional balance of power.

On the other hand, Egyptian reactions cannot be ignored. Morocco’s recent move might raise concerns in Cairo, especially amid the tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Renaissance Dam. However, military expert Ihssan Hafizi downplays these concerns, emphasizing that Morocco is not a third party in this conflict but seeks to strengthen its bilateral relations without harming Egypt’s interests.

Will this military rapprochement between Morocco and Ethiopia be the decisive blow that seals the game in Rabat’s favor? Or are there more rounds to come on the African diplomatic stage? Only time will tell.   

Addis Ababa first recognized the Polisario Front in 1979, during the communist regime of Mengistu Haile Mariam, and remained one of its main supporters before the level of support slowed down in the last decade, a period that coincided with the Moroccan diplomacy’s penetration into the Front’s strongholds in the continent, following a major shift in its discourse, which directed Rabat’s focus not only towards West Africa but also towards Central and Eastern Africa.

It is important to note that Ethiopia was one of the strongest advocates for Morocco’s return to the African Union, which hosts its headquarters. It has remained politically committed to a balanced stance on the regional conflict over the Moroccan Sahara, while distancing itself from the axis led by Algeria and South Africa within the regional bloc. This makes this new military and security rapprochement a significant source of concern for the Kingdom’s adversaries and an important positive step that could help bridge views on the Sahara issue within the framework of what is known as “military and security diplomacy.”

Thus, the military rapprochement between the two countries, recently announced, will serve as an entry point to strengthen political and diplomatic cooperation, as well as to enhance stability on the continent, especially since the Moroccan Armed Forces are currently participating in more than five UN peacekeeping missions.

RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

- Advertisment -spot_img

Most Popular

Recent Comments