A new permanent member of the United Nations Security Council has shifted its stance on the Sahara issue and expressed full support for the Morocco-proposed Autonomy Plan that it described as the most credible, viable, pragmatic basis to settle regional dispute. The United Kingdom, which had so far maintained a neutral position, has joined many major super powers to express clear support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty and said it intends to act in line with this new position at the bilateral, regional, and international levels, and consequently “considers supporting projects” in the Sahara.
The United Kingdom “considers Morocco’s autonomy proposal, submitted in 2007 as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution of the dispute” over the Sahara, and “shall continue to act bilaterally, including economically, regionally, and internationally in line with this position to support resolution of the conflict”.
This position was expressed in a Joint Communiqué signed, Sunday in Rabat, by British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy, and Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita.
The UK follows closely the current positive dynamic on this issue under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, the Joint Communiqué states. London “recognizes the importance of the Western Sahara issue for the Kingdom of Morocco,” the document points out, noting that the settlement of this regional dispute “would strengthen the stability of North Africa and the relaunch of the bilateral dynamic and regional integration.”
The UK affirms that it “can consider supporting projects” in the Sahara, notably as part of “the UK Export Finance’s £5bn commitment to support new business across the country,” the Joint Communiqué underlines, affirming that the UK “recognizes Morocco as a key gateway to Africa’s socio-economic development” and “reaffirms its commitment to deepening engagement with Morocco as a partner for growth across the continent.”
According to the Joint Communiqué, “both countries support, and consider vital, the central role of the UN-led process” in the issue, and reaffirm “their full support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Mr. Staffan de Mistura.” To this end, the UK underlines that it is “ready, willing, and committed to lend its active support and engagement to the Personal Envoy and the parties.”
“As a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, the United Kingdom agrees with Morocco on the urgent need to find a resolution to this long-held dispute, which would be in the interest of the parties”, the document notes, adding that “the time for a resolution and for moving this issue forwards is long-overdue, and would strengthen the stability of North Africa and the relaunch of the bilateral dynamic and regional integration.”
This new position of the United Kingdom, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, aligns with the strong stances expressed by many major powers, notably the United States, France, and Spain, and reinforces the growing international momentum driven by King Mohammed VI in support of the Autonomy Plan under Moroccan sovereignty. It also confirms the credibility of this initiative and the broad consensus backing it to reach a final settlement of the regional dispute over the Sahara.