ADDIS ABABA - "I am finally home," King Mohammed VI said as the African Union readmitted Morocco after a 33-year absence, deferring the issue of Western Sahara for another day. Faced with the AU’s decision, Western Sahara officials appeared to accept the new reality, saying AU membership might help speed up efforts to end a protracted conflict. No conditionsMorocco quit the then Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1984 after the bloc admitted the former Western Sahara as a separate member. Morocco’s press on Tuesday hailed the kingdom’s return to the bloc, with headlines including "Victorious return" and "Thank you your Majesty". He appointed South African President Jacob Zuma to lead negotiations with the UN, and also look into the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations on the continent.

Source: Viet Nam News February 01, 2017 06:01 UTC