UK sides with Morocco in dispute over Western Sahara
The United Kingdom has taken the side of Morocco in the dispute over Western Sahara. The dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, also known as Western Sahara, is a long-standing territorial conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the region. Morocco claims sovereignty over the territory, while the Polisario Front, backed by […]
The United Kingdom has taken the side of Morocco in the dispute over Western Sahara.
The dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, also known as Western Sahara, is a long-standing territorial conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the region.
Morocco claims sovereignty over the territory, while the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, advocates for an independent Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
However, the UK said it “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 Moroccan Sahara.
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It said it “will continue to act bilaterally, including economically, regionally and internationally in line with this position to support resolution of the conflict”.
This document underlines that the UK “follows closely the current positive dynamic on this issue under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.”
It added that London “recognises the importance of the question of Western Sahara for the Kingdom of Morocco,” noting that settling this regional dispute “would strengthen the stability of North Africa and the relaunch of the bilateral dynamic and regional integration.”
This position was expressed in a joint communiqué signed, Sunday in Rabat by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, David Lammy, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita.
“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 to move 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.