Rabat – UK parliamentarians and politicians celebrated their country’s newfound position, supporting Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the most serious and credible basis to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
Liam Fox, former Secretary of State for International Trade, celebrated the UK’s position, saying on X that the country “has finally grasped that the Moroccan initiative on Western Sahara is the only game in town and caught up with our American and some European allies.”
Fox, a staunch supporter of Morocco’s autonomy plan and territorial integrity, also called on UK allies to join the growing support and momentum in favor of the Moroccan cause.
“Now it is time to maximise the opportunity and to call on all UK allies, including our Commonwealth partners, to join us in the liberating quest,” he wrote.
MP Joe Powell echoed the same sentiment, noting that he felt pleased to see the UK taking this significant step.
“As Chair of Labour Friends of Morocco I am really pleased to see this significant step forward in the UK-Morocco partnership,” the MP wrote, citing this country’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan as well as the opportunities this move will unlock for London.
The UK made its historic announcement on Sunday during Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s visit to Rabat.
“The UK has chosen to endorse autonomy within the Moroccan state as the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for a mutually-agreed and lasting solution to the Western Sahara dispute, one that can deliver on our commitments to conflict resolution in the region and self-determination for the people of Western Sahara,” Lammy said.
Minister for Trade Policy Douglas Alexander also celebrated the news, stressing the importance of Morocco as an important ally in different sectors, including trade.
“Morocco is becoming an increasingly important trade and investment partner for the UK,” Alexander said, noting that UK companies are already securing major commercial wins in Morocco.
Prior to the official announcement, many politicians have been urging their government to follow in the steps of the US and France to reinforce ties with Morocco and recognize its territorial integrity.
In 2024, over 30 MPs and Peers urged the timely recognition of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the most credible and serious framework to end the dispute.
MPs and politicians from the country have frequently echoed the same demand on social platforms and international forums, while pointing out the security threats posed by Polisario in the region under Algeria’s support.
Algeria, which harbors Polisario in Tindouf camps and supports their separatism claims to challenge Morocco’s territorial integrity, responded to the UK’s position in a statement that signals Algeria’s isolation amid growing support for the Moroccan territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara.
On Sunday, Algeria’s regime said it regrets the UK’s newfound position, claiming that the Moroccan autonomy initiative has “never been presented to the Sahrawis as a basis for negotiation, nor has it ever been taken seriously by the successive UN envoys to this post.”
The claims come amid growing support from at least 113 countries that support the Moroccan autonomy initiative, describing it as a serious and credible political solution to end the dispute.
