Japan Expels Representatives of the Polisario Front and Bans Their Political Activities During TICAD-9 Conference
Japanese authorities have issued a decision to expel representatives of the Polisario Front from its territory, prohibiting their political activities outside of their participation as part of the African Union delegation at the TICAD-9 Conference on African Development.
During the opening of the conference, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya confirmed that Japan does not recognize any entity other than an official state, noting that the invitation to the Polisario came solely through the African Union and does not grant them any international status.
The decision followed heightened security measures, which included depriving the delegation of official accreditation badges, prohibiting any verbal interventions or participation in conference sessions, closely monitoring their movements, canceling their scheduled press conferences, and requiring them to leave Japan three days before the official conclusion of the conference.
