Rabat – Liam Fox, Former UK defense and international trade secretary, has commended the upward trend in cooperation between Morocco and the UK.
In an opinion to the National, Fox emphasized the importance of the UK’s newfound position, welcoming the decision of his country to endorse Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for resolving the Western Sahara dispute.
The UK made its decision on June 1, during Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s visit to Rabat.
In a joint statement, the UK declares that “it is ready, willing, and determined to provide active support and engagement with the Personal Envoy and with the parties involved,” noting that it shares Morocco’s view on the urgent need for a resolution for the longstanding dispute.
In his opinion published today, Fox said that the UK’s decision brings his country into line “with allies such as the United States, France, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and the UAE, who recognize Morocco to be a trusted and dependable ally and a lynchpin for regional security in the Sahel.”
Emphasizing Morocco’s assets as a strong and oldest ally to the UK, the UK politician emphasized how the Moroccan autonomy initiative represents the “only credible and pragmatic solution to the issue.”
In his opinion, Fox recalled the opportunities his country could seize through a strong partnership with Morocco, including the Dakhla Atlantic Port.
“The UK has an opportunity to make the most of the new trade and economic opportunities underpinned by the security outlined in the Autonomy Plan,” he said, adding that a strong partnership between the two countries comes at a critical moment, citing instability in the region.
“The risks of instability in the region are not limited to migration, a lack of investment, and terrorism, but as the world is looking towards the Middle East, another Iranian proxy has been allowed to strengthen in West Africa,” he wrote.
Fox has been among the international experts and politicians who have been urging the international community to stand against the terror threats posed by the Polisario separatist group.
Earlier this year, Fox described Polisario as an “Iranian proxy organization”, urging Western governments to move quickly to designate it as a terrorist group.
Many politicians, including US Republican Congressman Joe Wilson, joined the international campaign urging their countries to label the separatist group as a terrorist organization.
In April, the congressman said he would introduce legislation to that effect, and later officially submitted the bill to US Congress ini June.
Fox recalled his earlier appeal during the new opinion, noting how the Polisario Front has links to Iran and other terrorist organizations that should “worry those committed to stability.”
“The Polisario has pursued a state of disorder, instability, and chaos which aligns with the Russian, Iranian, and Chinese approach to the Sahel,” he said.
The former UK secretary also mentioned the Polisario’s attacks on civilian infrastructure in Es-Semara, which marked a series of similar terrorist acts from the separatist group to undermine Morocco’s security.
