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Relationship dossier

Morocco South Africa

Relationship assessment

Diplomatic engagement continues, but Western Sahara remains a central source of disagreement.

Morocco toward South Africa

-20

Morocco recalled its ambassador after South Africa recognized the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. Morocco later restored diplomatic representation in Pretoria, renewing engagement while the Western Sahara dispute remained unresolved.

South Africa toward Morocco

-40

South Africa recognizes the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and supports its claim to self-determination, opposing Morocco’s position on Western Sahara.

Overall relationship

-35

The relationship is constrained by a durable disagreement over Western Sahara: South Africa recognizes the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, while Morocco contests its status and claims the territory. Morocco’s restoration of diplomatic representation brought renewed engagement but did not settle the dispute.

How to read these scores

Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.

−100
Extreme sustained hostility
−50
Substantially adversarial
0
Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
+50
Substantially cooperative
+100
Exceptionally close sustained partnership

“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.

Relationship context

Knowledge coverageLimited

Overview

Relations have been shaped primarily by disagreement over Western Sahara. South Africa recognizes the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, a position Morocco opposes. Morocco recalled its ambassador after South Africa’s recognition and later restored diplomatic representation, indicating renewed engagement without resolving the central dispute.

Areas of tension

Key developments

Major uncertainties

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