What's happened
The UK has shifted its stance to support Morocco's 2007 autonomy proposal for Western Sahara, as Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized its viability during a visit to Rabat. This marks a significant change in Britain's position on the long-standing territorial dispute, aligning it with the US and France's previous endorsements.
What's behind the headline?
Implications of the UK's Shift
- Strategic Alignment: The UK's endorsement aligns it with the US and France, reinforcing Morocco's position in the international arena.
- Economic Interests: The region's rich resources, including phosphates and fish, attract foreign investment, making stability crucial for economic growth.
- Regional Stability: Lammy's comments suggest that resolving the dispute could enhance North African stability, a priority for both the UK and Morocco.
- Pressure on Algeria: Algeria's criticism of the UK's support highlights the geopolitical tensions in the region, as it backs the Polisario Front's independence claims.
- Future Developments: The UK's commitment to bilateral cooperation may lead to increased investments in Western Sahara, impacting local governance and resource management.
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that the UK considers Morocco's autonomy proposal 'the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis' for resolving the dispute. This sentiment was echoed by AP News, which noted that the UK is now the third permanent member of the UN Security Council to support Morocco's position, following France and the US. The Independent highlighted Lammy's call for Morocco to provide more details on the autonomy plan, indicating a cautious approach to the endorsement. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that this shift fulfills one of Morocco's primary foreign policy objectives, emphasizing the importance of international backing in the ongoing conflict.
How we got here
The conflict over Western Sahara has persisted since 1975, following Spain's withdrawal. Morocco claims the territory, while the Polisario Front seeks independence. A UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991 failed to resolve the issue, and Morocco's autonomy proposal has gained traction among key international players.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of this shift for Western Sahara?
- How has Algeria reacted to the UK's new stance?
- What does Morocco's autonomy plan entail?
More on these topics
-
Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country located in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, with land borders with Algeria to the east and Western Sahara to th
-
David Lindon Lammy PC FRSA is a British Labour Party politician serving as Member of Parliament for Tottenham since 2000, and has served as Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Shadow Lord Chancellor in Keir Starmer's Shadow Cabinet since 2020.
-
Algeria, officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. The capital and most populous city is Algiers, located in the far north of the country on the Mediterranean coast.
-
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northwestern coast of the European mainland.
-
The Polisario Front, Frente Polisario, FRELISARIO or simply POLISARIO, from the Spanish abbreviation of Frente Popular de Liberación de Saguía el Hamra y Río de Oro, is a Sahrawi rebel national liberation movement aiming to end Moroccan presence in the
-
The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
-
Nasser Bourita is a Moroccan diplomat serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates since 5 April 2017.