The UK has finally joined the ongoing momentum, supporting Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the most serious and credible political solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
The UK announced the news during foreign secretary David Lammy’s visit to Rabat, where he met with Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita.
For the UK, the Moroccan initiative is the “the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for resolving the dispute.
The country is also determined to act in accordance with the position at bilateral, regional and international levels.
The UK and Morocco also highlighted their unwavering support for the UN-led process as essential,” reiterating their “full support for the efforts of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, Staffan de Mistura.”
Notably, the UK declares it is “ready, willing, and determined to provide active support and engagement with the Personal Envoy and with the parties involved.”
It also affirmed that “as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the United Kingdom shares Morocco’s view on the urgent need for a resolution to this longstanding dispute in the interest of all parties,” adding that “the time has come to find a solution and move forward on this issue, in a way that strengthens stability in North Africa and reactivates bilateral momentum and regional integration.”
The news came amid an ongoing momentum marked by an international consensus supporting Morocco’s territorial integrity over its southern provinces.
Many observers have been expecting that the UK support was a matter of time.
Over 113 countries are now supporting the autonomy initiative as a serious and credible basis to resolve the dispute.
For decades, the UK supported Morocco’s engagement and efforts in the UN-led political process over Western Sahara.
However, the UK’s position remains limited to its support for Rabat’s efforts.
The UK has recently signaled that it will join the chorus to support Morocco’s Autonomy initiative.
In April, Lammy stressed that the Sahara dossier is under review “as we continue to discuss these issues in the region.”
He made these comments during a parliamentary session, prompting speculation and signaling a potential change in the UK’s traditional stance.
Many politicians from the country have been calling on London to support Morocco’s position.
The appeal urged the government to take steps like France and the US to support Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara.
Last year, over 30 MPs and Peers penned a letter to the former UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Cameron.
The letter urged the timely recognition of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the most viable solution to the dispute.
“Morocco stands paramount among these partner nations, it is a top strategic ally in North Africa, with shared values and perspectives crucial to both our countries,” they emphasized.
In a post-meeting, a joint statement from Lammy and Bourita, stressed that the two countries are determined to building on their exceptional shared history and deepen cooperation in all areas.
According to the statement, this forward-looking and pioneering new partnership will focus on multiple sectors forming the core of strengthened cooperation—namely security and defense, trade and investment, as well as water, climate, energy transition, health, education, scientific research and innovation, human rights, and cultural and sports exchanges.
Morocco and the United Kingdom are also committed to “working as partners to address regional and global challenges together and to uphold the principles of peace, security, tolerance, and human rights.”
