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Western Saharawi struggle inspires Mthwakazi
02 Jun 2025 at 09:41hrs | Views
The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) says the increasing international calls for autonomy in the disputed Western Saharawi region have inspired its ongoing campaign for self-determination in Zimbabwe.
Kenya last week became the latest country to back Morocco's proposal to grant autonomy to Western Sahara, a region long contested between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the territory.
In a joint statement after talks in Rabat, Kenya described the Moroccan plan as "the most credible and realistic solution, as well as the only sustainable approach" to resolving the decades-long conflict that started in 1975.
This endorsement aligns Kenya with a growing number of African, Arab, and Western countries supporting Morocco's autonomy plan.
Earlier this year in April, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (Western Sahara) in support of the latter's pursuit of self-determination.
Following this development, MRP submitted a petition to SADC urging the regional body to facilitate dialogue with the Zimbabwean government over their demands for self-governance.
In a petition dated May 20 and addressed to SADC executive secretary Elias Magosi, MRP leader Mqondisi Moyo appealed for support from the regional bloc.
Speaking on Friday, Moyo said the momentum behind Western Sahara's autonomy had encouraged the party to increase pressure on Zimbabwe's government for similar dialogue on Mthwakazi's self-determination.
"I, therefore, urge President Emmerson Mnangagwa to ensure that Mthwakazi becomes a self-governing territory just like he purports to be wishing for Western Sahara," Moyo said.
The MRP is campaigning for the creation of the Mthwakazi Republic, which would cover parts of the Midlands and all of Matabeleland provinces.
However, President Mnangagwa has consistently reaffirmed Zimbabwe's status as a unitary state as recognised by the United Nations, dismissing calls for secessionist movements.
As support for Western Sahara autonomy grows on the international stage, MRP's push highlights rising regional debates over self-determination and governance rights.
Kenya last week became the latest country to back Morocco's proposal to grant autonomy to Western Sahara, a region long contested between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the territory.
In a joint statement after talks in Rabat, Kenya described the Moroccan plan as "the most credible and realistic solution, as well as the only sustainable approach" to resolving the decades-long conflict that started in 1975.
This endorsement aligns Kenya with a growing number of African, Arab, and Western countries supporting Morocco's autonomy plan.
Earlier this year in April, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (Western Sahara) in support of the latter's pursuit of self-determination.
Following this development, MRP submitted a petition to SADC urging the regional body to facilitate dialogue with the Zimbabwean government over their demands for self-governance.
Speaking on Friday, Moyo said the momentum behind Western Sahara's autonomy had encouraged the party to increase pressure on Zimbabwe's government for similar dialogue on Mthwakazi's self-determination.
"I, therefore, urge President Emmerson Mnangagwa to ensure that Mthwakazi becomes a self-governing territory just like he purports to be wishing for Western Sahara," Moyo said.
The MRP is campaigning for the creation of the Mthwakazi Republic, which would cover parts of the Midlands and all of Matabeleland provinces.
However, President Mnangagwa has consistently reaffirmed Zimbabwe's status as a unitary state as recognised by the United Nations, dismissing calls for secessionist movements.
As support for Western Sahara autonomy grows on the international stage, MRP's push highlights rising regional debates over self-determination and governance rights.
Source - newsday
