Moroccans for Obama?

“When the Americans are getting ready to elect a president, the whole world holds its breath,” writes Moroccon blogger, Robin des Blogs [Fr].  It's a sentiment held by many around the world, but some Moroccon netizens aren't sure which outcome–an Obama or a McCain presidency–would be best for Morocco.

Obama, McCain and Western Sahara

RDB writes that the election matters most to “Third World countries that live under Uncle Sam's wing, or worse, rot under the boots of his GIs” and agrees that an Obama win would be a chance for America to make history.

However, there is another issue Moroccans should consider: the fate of Western Sahara:

A Maroc, les élections américaines représentent un enjeu plus que majeur, puisque directement liées (qui dans ce monde ne l’est pas?) à l’avenir du pays. La connexion directe s’établissant dans les relations Mc Cain-Maroc et Obama-Mandela. Quoi?! C’est plus simple que ça n’en a l’air. Mc Cain l’ancien président du comité d’amitié marocco-américain, est le choix du Maroc, puisqu’il semble tourné vers les intérêts du royaume du moins sur le papier, tandis qu’Obama est un ami d’un vieil homme appelé Nelson Mandela. Vous ne voyez toujours pas l’anguille? Fouillez sous roche, où mieux sous sable…Le Sahara!

In Morocco, the stakes are high for the American elections since they are directly connected (what in this world isn't?) to the future of the country.  This direct connection is grounded in McCain-Morocco and Obama-Mandela relations.  What?!  It's simpler than it sounds.  McCain, former president of the Committee of Moroccan-American Friendship, is Morocco's choice since he seems oriented toward the interests of the kingdom, at least on paper, while Obama is a friend of an old man named Nelson Mandela.  You still don't see the snake?  Look under the rock, or better yet, the sand…Le Sahara!

Oui, c’est un peu tiré par les cheveux, mais c’est une option qui peut se vérifier…On sait tous que Mandela, l’icone mondiale de la liberation des minorités, est un protecteur et défenseur de la cause séparatrice du polisario. Par extention, Obama pourrait être influencé dans ce sens et faire basculer la balance…

Sure, it's a bit far-fetched….but it's a possibility to be born out.  We all know that Mandela, global icon for the liberation of minorities, is a protector and defender of polisario‘s separatist cause.  By extension, Obama could be influenced in this way and tip the balance…

Si cette hyppothèse se vérifie, le Maroc croisera les doigts pour que Mc Cain sorte gagnant des urnes…

If this hypothesis checks out, Morocco will cross its fingers McCain comes out the winner at the ballot box…

A reader, Cogito, writes that while he's still thinking, RDB's post has nearly made him change his mind about Obama:

En parlant de ton article à un ami, il vient de me confirmer qu’effectivement c’est le parti républicain qui a toujours été du coté du Maroc en ce qui concerne le dossier du Sahara. Le parti démocrate étant toujours du coté des minorités….

Et moi qui faisait que défendre et espérait qu’Obama soit à la tete des Etats-unis sinon ça serait la catastrophe avec ce Mccain’sh, je me retrouve en train de revoir ma position, par amour pour mon pays, par pragmatisme parce que la priorité pour moi est l’avenir du Maroc avant tout…

I was talking about your article to a friend, and he just confirmed to me that effectively, it's the Republican Party that has always been on Morocco's side when it comes to the Sahara issue.  The Democratic Party has always been on hte side of minorities.

And me, who was defending Obama and hoping he would become the leader of the United States, since otherwise it would be a catastrophe with McCain, I find myself in the process of rethinking my position, for the love of my country, for pragmatism, because the priority for me above all else is the future of Morocco…

But Spy Jones doesn't think Western Sahara is much of an issue:

Un McCain soit-disant pro-Maroc, et qui prône le prolongement indéfini de l’Iraq… Tu trouves ça défendable comme parti pris ??

Je crois qu’il ne faut pas se faire d’illusions, et que la question du Sahara ne sera pas perdue au Maroc à cause d’Obama (Cet ignare de McCain ne fera pas bouger les choses ne serait-ce que d’un iota), et qu’il vaudrait mieux soutenir Obama pour mettre fin à une guerre injuste et cruelle qui a ravagée un pays entier, et qui l’a mise à feu et à sang.

En plus de pouvoir mieux traiter avec la crise financière que ne le ferais McCain, Obama sera moins belliqueux que Bush et consorts, et ne cherchera pas à provoquer une guerre avec l’Iran pour servir les interêts des lobbies militaires.

A so-called pro-Morocco McCain, and one who advocates the indefinite continuation [of an American presence] in Iraq…Do you find that bias defensible?

I think that we musn't have any illusions, that Morocco will not lose on the Sahara question because of Obama (that idiot McCain won't make an iota of difference), and that it would be better to support Obama to put an end to the unjust and cruel war that ravages an entire country, and that has engulfed it in fire and blood.

In addition to being better able to deal with the financial crisis than McCain, Obama will be less aggressive than Bush and his consorts, and won't try to provoke a war with Iran to serve the interests of the military lobbyists.

Belier, a supporter of Ron Paul, writes in the comments that choosing between Obama and McCain is like choosing between Pepsi and Coca-Cola.  “à 2012 peut être!”  “Maybe in 2012!” he writes.

Facebook group: Moroccans for Obama

On the Facebook group, Moroccans for Obama, some Moroccans rallied in support of Obama, others remain cynical about his chances:

Karim, posting from Orlando, FL, writes:

c lui la sollution pr la pai en iraq!! et c lui la sollution pr la survie des américains aussi, ils doivent etre des idiots pr ne pas voter pr lui!!

He's the solution for peace in Iraq!!  He's also the solution for the survival of Americans, they must be idiots if they don't vote for him!!
Falah Anass:

obama for change …c le seul démocrate qui pourra apporter la paix ds le monde en tt cas pr le moment… jespere qu'il restera ainsi une fois élu président of usa…to be continued

obama for change…he's the only democrat who can bring peace to this world, at least for the moment…i hope that he will stay this way once he is elected president of the united states…to be continued

Oui moi aussi je soutien Barrack Oubama j'espère bien qu'il va pas nous décevoir,et qu'il va travailler pour le bien de ce monde.Obama et mille fois mieux que Mc cain = (Mc cayne meno walo)

Yes, I also support Barrack Obama I really hope is not going to deceive us, that he will work for the good of this world.  Obama is a thousand times better than McCain…

Moussa, a Moroccan living in Kentucky, writes:

I admire this guy, but in the white america he has no chance. race is a big issue. i lived in kentucky and i am 1000% sure people wont vote for him cuz he is black.

Louarni Ashraf:

they have one chance to prouve that USA is not a racist country …i don't think that it's hard to realize …everybody want to see an african american as a president of the united states of america !! god bless ya nigga !!

Faty Owns You:

It's all false hope.

He surely will be the president…until he gets shot.

4 comments

  • Manus

    I beg to disagree with Spy Jones; it is precisely countries like Morocco that should be extremely worried and at the same time vigilant to events happening in the US. Moroccan nationals have formed the bulk of recruits in Europe and the Maghreb by Al-Qaida operatives. Also, Morocco has many opened dossiers at the international arena. The Western Sahara issue is still not resolved and the noted rapprochement between the USA and Algeria could be a major concern for Morocco. The USA has extensively invested in Algeria mainly in the OIL sector as America is diversifying they source of energy and exploited the vacuum left by the Europeans, mainly France. The US so far has ignored the part of the world and was not interested in Democratic reform and Human rights abuses. Libya is also becoming the lost friend of US and on the verge of becoming an ally. The whole Maghreb should brace for substantial geopolitical changes in the way Washington will engage with them in the next administration.

  • amazing post. I am so glad to see such interest in the U.S. elections from Morocco, amd from other countries in general.

  • MAROKKO

    we are no more considered as a therd countries group my dear ‘we are emergin countries group’ check your sources…!

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