Western Sahara has opposed Morocco’s bid to rejoin the African Union unless it recognises the independence of the disputed territory.
Morocco has officially applied to return to the continental body it pulled out of in 1984.
But Western Sahara’s Foreign Minister Mohamed Salek Ould Salek says Morocco’s continued “occupation” of the territory contradicts the founding principles of the AU.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco has toured various African states in recent weeks seeking support for the bid to rejoin the AU.
The request will be discussed in January at an AU summit.
Morocco has occupied Western Sahara since 1975. The AU recognises it as an independent state.
Source: BBC