On Monday, the African Union (AU) re-admitted Morocco back after a 33-year absence. This development happened despite stiff resistance from some member states over the status of Western Sahara.


After severe debate, member states agreed by consensus to leave the question of the disputed territory of Western Sahara for another day, and resolve it with Morocco "back in the family."

"From the moment that Morocco did not impose conditions, we take their word for it and accept that Morocco be admitted to the African Union," said Mohamed Salem Ould Salek, foreign minister of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).

Morocco quit the then Organisation of African Unity in 1984 after the bloc admitted the former Western Sahara as a separate member.