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Rabat – The Algerian regime’s maneuvering campaign against Morocco’s territorial integrity is facing a strong pushback from the international community that now rallies behind a more pragmatic approach to resolve the Western Sahara dispute.
On Sunday, the UK made a historic announcement, expressing support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the most serious and credible political solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara – a first from London which has for years clung to its traditional support for the UN-led political process.
The UK made its decision during Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s visit to Rabat, where he met with senior officials and conveyed the country’s new position.
“The UK recognises the importance of the question of Western Sahara for the Kingdom of Morocco and follows closely the current positive dynamic on this issue under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI,” the UK government announced.
The country agreed with Morocco on the urgent need to find a resolution to the long-held dispute, noting that it’s time for a resolution to move the issue forward.
“Both countries support, and consider vital, the central role of the UN-led process to bring the parties together and move the issue forward to achieve a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution and reaffirm their full support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, MR. Staffan de Mistura,” the final joint statement said.
The decision was met with frustration from a few parties supporting outdated narratives, including independence and referendum claims that are propelled by separatist groups like the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria.
In the usual course of events, following international powers supporting Rabat’s stance, the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs would issue a press statement condemning countries’ decisions to support Morocco’s territorial integrity.
On Sunday, the Algerian regime took a similar approach against the UK’s new position as it does after every announcement in favor of Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces.
“Algeria has taken note of the new position adopted by the United Kingdom regarding the issue of Western Sahara,” the Algerian regime said, adding that it regrets London’s choice to support the Moroccan autonomy plan.
“In its eighteen years of existence, this plan has never been presented to the Sahrawis as a basis for negotiation, nor has it ever been taken seriously by the successive UN envoys to this post,” the Algerian regime said in its statement, describing the internationally-backed initiative as “empty” proposal that it is “unable” to offer a “serious and credible solution to the Western Sahara conflict.”
Algeria’s stance fully contrasts with the momentum of the current situation, in which Morocco enjoys full support from over 113 countries that describe Rabat’s autonomy plan as a serious and credible political solution.
Many countries also view the autonomy initiative as the most or the only feasible political framework able to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita conveyed Morocco’s gratitude for the UK’s support, noting that Lammy’s visit to Morocco is meaningful due to a “major development in the United Kingdom’s position on the Moroccan Sahara.”
“From today onward, we will work together bilaterally, regionally, and internationally, grounding our relations in this strategic partnership,” Bourita said, describing the new milestone as “one of great significance, if not historic.”
