Morocco and South Africa took a small step towards strengthening bilateral relations when Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita met with a South African delegation led by Obed Bapela, MP and Deputy Chairman of the African National Congress (ANC) party's International Relations Committee, in Rabat on October 7. In a press statement, Bapela emphasized the need to bolster economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. He also extended an invitation to Moroccan companies to invest in South Africa. On a multilateral front, Bapela welcomed Morocco's return to the African Union, highlighting the opportunities for joint action to address Africa's challenges. The visit by Bapela, a member of the ANC's executive committee, followed a meeting between Moroccan Speaker of the House of Representatives Rachid Talbi Alami and South African National Assembly Speaker Angela Thokozile Didiza in Johannesburg on September 20. However, significant hurdles remain. The ANC celebrated the European Union Court of Justice's October 4 ruling in favor of the Polisario Front, a stance that could complicate efforts to further deepen ties between Morocco and South Africa.
