A deep ideological rift has erupted between the African National Congress (ANC) and the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, with ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula labelling MK Party leader Jacob Zuma a “sellout” over his recent support for the Kingdom of Morocco in the long-standing Western Sahara dispute.
The fierce condemnation follows a high-profile visit by former President Zuma to Rabat, where he met with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. Zuma and his newly formed MK Party have officially signaled a policy shift, aligning with Morocco’s claim over the Western Sahara territory. This marks a stark departure from the ANC’s and South Africa’s long-held position of solidarity with the indigenous Saharawi people and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the region.
“Zuma is no messiah. He is a sellout of note,” Mbalula declared to the media on Sunday. “The very decision to steal the assets of the ANC to form a political party… to weaken the African National Congress, for his own personal aggrandisement, is what he has been. He will be remembered for that by history.”
Mbalula reaffirmed the ANC’s historic stance, stating, “We, as the ANC, will fight side-by-side for the self-determination of the Sahrawi people. We are in solidarity with them, and Morocco must stop the occupation of Western Sahara.”
The MK Party, however, has defended its new foreign policy direction. In a policy statement released earlier this week, the party argued that strengthening bilateral relations with Morocco is grounded in “shared principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and African unity.”
The party drew historical parallels, noting that Morocco was the first country to provide financial and military support to the original uMkhonto weSizwe in 1962 during its struggle against apartheid. “Morocco’s efforts to reclaim its full territorial integrity align with the MK Party’s commitment to preserving the sovereignty and unity of African states,” the policy document stated.
The diplomatic firestorm was further ignited by the use of the South African national flag during Zuma’s meeting with Moroccan officials. The ANC condemned the act in the strongest terms, calling it a “reckless and provocative act” and a “flagrant violation of international diplomatic norms.”
“The inclusion of our national symbols in partisan activities hosted by foreign powers is not only misleading but also part of a broader agenda of foreign interference,” the ANC said in a statement on Saturday. The ruling party has urged the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to demand an immediate explanation and apology from the Moroccan government.
The ANC further accused Zuma of betraying the core principles he once claimed to uphold. “It is shameful that a former leader of a liberation movement is betraying our historical mission and showing his true colours,” the party stated, framing Zuma’s actions as an abandonment of Pan-Africanism and solidarity.
The MK Party was contacted for a response to Mbalula’s comments and has indicated it will address the matter at a future briefing. The escalating war of words underscores the growing political schism between the ANC and its former president, moving the battle from the domestic arena onto the international stage.