The United Kingdom has officially endorsed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, marking a significant shift in its long-standing neutral stance on the disputed territory. During a visit to Rabat on Sunday, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy described Morocco’s 2007 proposal—which offers Western Sahara limited self-governance under Moroccan sovereignty—as “the most credible, viable and pragmatic” solution to the decades-old conflict.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Lammy said, “The time for resolution is long overdue. Advancing this issue would enhance stability across North Africa.” He also reaffirmed Britain’s support for the United Nations-led political process and encouraged Morocco to clarify what autonomy under its framework would entail for Western Sahara’s population. This marks a departure from the UK’s previous position that supported self-determination for the region’s estimated 600,000 residents. The UN still considers Western Sahara a non-self-governing territory and has operated a peacekeeping mission (MINURSO) since 1991 to oversee a long-delayed referendum on independence.
Morocco controls most of the territory and claims it as part of its sovereign land. The Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, continues to demand full independence for the region. Bourita welcomed the UK’s endorsement, calling it “part of a growing international consensus to accelerate a political resolution to the conflict.” The UK becomes the third permanent UN Security Council member to support Morocco’s autonomy proposal, following similar endorsements from the United States in 2020 and France in 2023. Spain, Germany, and several other European countries have also voiced support for Morocco’s plan in recent years, further isolating Algeria and the Polisario Front diplomatically.
In response, Algeria issued a sharp rebuke. Its Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the UK’s position “regrettable” and described Morocco’s plan as “empty of substance” and “unfit to provide a serious, credible resolution to the conflict.” Alongside the diplomatic announcement, the UK and Morocco signed new cooperation agreements in health, innovation, water infrastructure, port development, and public procurement—reinforcing growing economic and security ties between the two countries. The move is expected to influence upcoming deliberations at the UN Security Council, where the future of Western Sahara remains unresolved.
