Japan hosts international conference, Algerian and Moroccan representatives fight
2024-08-26
한어Русский языкEnglishFrançaisIndonesianSanskrit日本語DeutschPortuguêsΕλληνικάespañolItalianoSuomalainenLatina
[Global Times Comprehensive Report] According to the Arab News on the 24th, on the 23rd, on the eve of the opening of the Japan-led African Development Ministerial Conference in Tokyo, Algerian and Moroccan representatives actually fought at the preparatory meeting. However, the conference was held normally on the 24th.
Videos circulating on social media showed a member of the Moroccan delegation trying to remove the "national nameplate" placed in front of Barry, the representative of the "Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic" (not recognized by the United Nations). Members of the Algerian delegation rushed forward to stop the Moroccan representative's behavior, and the two sides pushed and shoved and physically clashed. The two diplomats went from arguing to fighting each other, and then to fighting on the ground, embarrassing other representatives at the scene.
But the most embarrassing thing was the host, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that a meeting that symbolized close cooperation between Japan and Africa turned into a brawl. The report said that the focus of the problem was that although Japan did not recognize the "Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic", "the country's representative" Barry still attended the meeting.
Western Sahara is a disputed region located in northwest Africa. Morocco has always claimed sovereignty over the region, while local independent armed groups claim that the region is completely independent and announced the establishment of the "Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic". The African Union recognized the independence of Western Sahara in 1984. (Huang Su)
