Kamal Fadel, a representative of the Sahrawi people of Western Sahara, was initially blocked from entering venue by Moroccan embassy staff
Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast
A diplomatic celebration of African unity in Canberra has degenerated into an undiplomatic altercation, with officials from the Moroccan embassy verbally abusing a representative of the Sahrawi people of Western Sahara while attempting to block him from entering the venue.
Representative Kamal Fadel, who had been formally invited to the Albert Hall event on Thursday evening, was initially stopped from entering by Moroccan diplomats. Australian federal police officers and other African ambassadors were forced to intervene, a video seen by Guardian Australia shows.
More Stories
Baby mammoth in Russia is the ‘best-preserved’ ever found
El Salvador overturns metals mining ban, defying environmental groups
Australian leaders acknowledge financial pressures and emergency workers in Christmas messages