Laayoune hosts, from October 10 to 19, the 45th edition of the African Championship of handball champion clubs (men and women). This tournament is organized by the Royal Moroccan Handball Federation (FRMH), under the aegis of the African Handball Confederation (CAHB). Although Algeria banned its clubs from participating in a competition organized in “occupied Western Sahara”, 27 teams from 11 African countries responded positively to the invitation from the FRMH and the CAHB.
On the list of participants, there are teams that represent states recognizing the “SADR”, such as the Mekelle and Mechal teams from Ethiopia, engaged in the men’s competition, while Primeiro and Petro Atléti from Angola as well as Peakocks of Nigeria are participating in the women’s tournament.
Tunisia is also participating in the 45th edition of the African Championship of handball champion clubs. She is represented by the Sfax Women’s Sports Association. Indeed, in recent months, Morocco and Tunisia have resumed high-level contacts. The head of government, Aziz Akhannouch, met the former Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs in France. For his part, Nasser Bourita had a telephone exchange with the new head of Tunisian diplomacy, Mohamed Ali Nafti.
As a reminder, Algeria regularly boycotts continental sporting events organized in cities in the Sahara. In 2020, the eastern neighbor withdrew from the African Futsal Cup of Nations in Laayoune. Algiers also opted for the empty chair during the 25th edition of the African Senior Men’s Handball Cup, held in January 2022 in Guelmim and Laayoune.
The Algerian president did not hide, last week, his disappointment at the isolation of his country in Africa, particularly on the question of the Sahara. “The African Union has become trivialized,” said Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Saturday, October 4, in an interview with local media.
