UK Supports Morocco's Plan for Western Sahara

The United Kingdom has endorsed Morocco's plan to give Western Sahara some autonomy while keeping it under Moroccan control. This plan was first made in 2007.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the plan is the most viable way to solve the long-running conflict. He made this announcement during a visit to Morocco.

Western Sahara is a desert area in North Africa. Morocco took control of it in 1975 after Spain left. But a group called the Polisario Front wants the area to be independent. They are supported by Algeria.

In 1991, both sides agreed to a ceasefire, but fighting started again in 2020. The United Nations has tried to help, but talks have not worked because of disagreements about who can vote in a planned referendum.

The UK now joins the United States, France, and Spain in supporting Morocco's plan. This decision may upset Algeria, which supports the Polisario Front.

The UK hopes this support will help British businesses get involved in building projects for the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. There are also chances for UK companies in healthcare and renewable energy.

UK Endorses Morocco's Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara

The United Kingdom has officially endorsed Morocco's 2007 autonomy plan for Western Sahara, marking a significant shift in its foreign policy. Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the decision during a visit to Morocco, describing the plan as the most viable solution to the long-standing territorial dispute.

Western Sahara, a sparsely populated desert region, has been contested since Morocco annexed it in 1975 following Spain's withdrawal. The Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, seeks independence for the territory. A ceasefire was established in 1991, but hostilities resumed in 2020.

The UK's new position aligns it with other nations such as the United States, France, and Spain, which have previously supported Morocco's proposal. This move is expected to strain relations with Algeria, a staunch supporter of the Polisario Front.

In addition to political implications, the UK anticipates economic benefits from this alignment. British companies are expected to gain access to infrastructure projects related to the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. Opportunities also exist in sectors like healthcare and renewable energy.

UK Backs Morocco's Autonomy Proposal for Western Sahara

In a notable policy shift, the United Kingdom has officially endorsed Morocco's 2007 autonomy proposal for Western Sahara. Foreign Secretary David Lammy, during his visit to Rabat, characterized the plan as the most viable and pragmatic pathway to resolving the protracted territorial conflict.

Western Sahara, a vast and arid region in North Africa, has been a point of contention since Morocco's annexation in 1975 post-Spanish decolonization. The Algeria-supported Polisario Front advocates for the territory's independence, leading to intermittent hostilities despite a 1991 ceasefire brokered by the United Nations.

The UK's endorsement aligns it with other key international players, including the United States, France, and Spain, who have previously supported Morocco's autonomy initiative. This alignment may exacerbate diplomatic tensions with Algeria, which remains a fervent supporter of the Polisario Front.

Beyond geopolitical ramifications, the UK anticipates strategic economic advantages from this policy realignment. British enterprises are poised to participate in significant infrastructure developments associated with the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco is set to co-host with Spain and Portugal. Additional prospects are envisaged in sectors such as healthcare, renewable energy, and technological innovation.