Rabat – The UK has reaffirmed its commitment to and support for the UN-led political process seeking to find an agreed upon and mutually acceptable political solution within the framework of the Moroccan Autonomy Plan.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Hamish Falconer, reiterated his government’s shift under the current government, which sees the Autonomy Plan as the most credible political solution for Western Sahara.
Earlier this week, Falconer recalled the recent UN Security Council vote on Resolution 2797, which endorsed Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the most genuine political solution and the most viable basis of future roundtables convening all the parties to the dispute to discuss the Western Sahara solution.
“I know the House will be aware both of the shift in position on Western Sahara announced by the previous Foreign Secretary and of our vote in the recent Security Council deliberations about the future negotiations over Western Sahara,” Falconer said in response to a question from MP Andrew Murrison.
Murrison, who has been supporting a position in favor of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan, congratulated the government on changing and updating the UK language on the Western Sahara.
Sustaining and improving ‘the good progress’ in UK-Morocco ties
“What will the government now do to ensure that the good progress we have made since the 2019 association agreement with Morocco is sustained and further improves both our bilateral trade and our mutual security?” he asked.
In response, Falconer reiterated the UK support for the UN-led political process, stating that the UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura retained the UK’s full confidence.
“He is working hard to try to advance talks. It is vital to try to bring to a close this long-running conflict and impediment to greater unity in north Africa, and we hope to see progress in the coming months,” Falconer added.
The UK was among the 11 UN Security Council members that voted for the historic Resolution 2797 on October 31.
“Taking note in this context of the support expressed by many Member States for Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal, presented on 11 April 2007 to the Secretary-General, as basis for a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution to the dispute; affirming that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could constitute a most feasible solution; and further welcoming the commitment of Council members to facilitate progress,” the resolution reads.
The vote came several months after the UK announced a shift regarding its position on Western Sahara.
‘Most credible basis’
In June, former foreign secretary David Lammy visited Morocco to announce his country’s historic decision to embrace Morocco’s Autonomy Plan.
During his visit, he conveyed the UK’s position, describing the Moroccan initiative as the “most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for resolving the dispute.”
He also recalled his country’s unwavering support for the UN-led political process.
The UK said it is ready and willing to provide active support and engagement with the Personal Envoy and with the parties to the dispute, affirming that it shares Morocco’s view on the urgent need for a resolution to the longstanding dispute in the interest of all parties.
“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 UK government said.
In its new resolution, the UN Security Council specified Algeria’s direct involvement in the dispute, urging it, along with all of the other three parties, to engage in consultation and future talks to find a solution to the dispute.
Algeria’s regime has long claimed itself as an observer to the dispute rather than a main party.
It continues to reject its direct role, claiming a solution to the dispute should be between Morocco and Polisario– a situation that could further hamper the UN-led political process and talks planned by de Mistura to advance the process.
