Morocco Refuses Participation In TICAD Summit, Says Attitude Of Tunisia Hostile Towards Kingdom

Rabat, August 29 (TNA) In view of the established hostility towards the kingdom, Morocco had recently decided not to participate in the 8th TICAD Summit to be held in Tunisia on August 27 and 28 and to immediately recall its Ambassador in Tunis for consultations. This was done in light of the attitude of this country within the framework of the Japan-Africa Cooperation Forum process.

"After recently multiplying positions and negative acts against the Kingdom of Morocco and its higher interests, the attitude of Tunisia in the TICAD (Japan-Africa Cooperation Forum) process has confirmed its hostility," a statement from the ministry said.

Against the advice of Japan and in violation of the preparation process and the established rules, Tunisia decided unilaterally to invite the separatist entity, according to the same source.

The reception given by the Tunisian Head of State to the leader of the separatist militia is a serious and unprecedented act, which deeply offends the feelings of the Moroccan people and its forces.

Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah said that he regrets Morocco’s absence from the 8th edition of the Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development (TICAD). “We are surprised by the imposed presence of a delegation [representatives of the Polisario Front] in violation of TICAD procedures”, said Kemayah on the opening day of the summit.

Denouncing the unexpected inclusion of Ghali in the conference, the Liberian minister stressed the importance of respecting the rules jointly established with the TICAD’s co-host Japan. The latter has requested to leave regional politics out of the summit, which was supposed to focus on the $30 billion Japan vowed to support the development of African countries. Kemayah called for “the suspension of this session until the problems relating to the procedures are resolved.”