Morocco/Western Sahara: Disputed territory complicates Rabat’s Africa opening

The Western Sahara government in exile achieved a diplomatic success in early May when a cargo of phosphate rock destined for New Zealand was intercepted and detained in South Africa. Polisario claimed Moroccan parastatal Office Cherifien des Phosphates (OCP) had produced the phosphate from its mines in the disputed territory. OCP at first tried to suppress the news in Morocco, where the territory is viewed as part of the kingdom.