The United Kingdom, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has made a dramatic change in its North African strategy by endorsing Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara this Sunday in Rabat. This comes after nearly five decades of neutrality in the international dispute over the former Spanish colony. The initiative, presented to the UN in 2007, offers an autonomous system under Moroccan sovereignty. According to British Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, this plan is now seen by London as “the most credible, viable, and pragmatic foundation for a lasting solution to the dispute.”

Moroccan Foreign Minister Naser Burita emphasized in a joint appearance at his department's headquarters that the UK's declaration represents “a significant shift” in the stance of a key state. Alongside the United States, France, and Spain, the UK is part of the informal Group of Friends of Western Sahara within the UN, a forum of influential nations in decisions about the territory that was once Spain's 53rd province.

The Polisario Front, which resumed armed struggle against Morocco in 2020, demands a self-determination plan through a referendum, potentially leading to independence. Morocco currently administers 80% of the Sahrawi territory, while the independence supporters control the remaining 20% from camps housing thousands of refugees in Tindouf, southwestern Algeria.

Washington recognized Rabat's sovereignty over the Sahara in 2020 during Donald Trump's presidency. France has supported the autonomy plan since 2007 and took a further step last year when President Emmanuel Macron declared in Rabat's Parliament that his country “only envisions the Sahara's future under Moroccan sovereignty.” Three years ago, the Spanish government shifted its historical neutrality in the conflict, considering the autonomy initiative as the “most serious, realistic, and credible foundation” to resolve the conflict.

During their meeting in Rabat, the ministers signed four agreements concerning education, health, water, and technological innovation, along with a joint statement sealing a diplomatic and economic alliance. The UK's new stance is part of a “drive to accelerate the conflict resolution,” Burita assured. “Morocco does not desire a status quo. There is now a chance to reach a solution based on autonomy under its sovereignty,” he added.

In the first visit of a Foreign Office Secretary to Morocco in 14 years, the British minister echoed almost verbatim the formula used by Spain's government head in 2022. In a press appearance without questions, Lammy stated in Rabat that “the UK will act bilaterally and internationally in line with this position [supporting Morocco's autonomy plan] to achieve a conflict resolution.” He also expressed his hope for a settlement “before the 50th anniversary” of the dispute. Next November marks half a century since the start of the Green March, a massive popular mobilization over the desert colonial territory organized by Morocco, which led to Spain's withdrawal from Western Sahara three months later.

“This British stance opens the path to economic investments in the Southern Provinces [Morocco's common name for Western Sahara], where several British economic groups are exploring opportunities in the region,” noted Minister Burita, visibly pleased with the diplomatic success achieved.

Lammy, meanwhile, assured that the UK aims to participate in the modernization of Moroccan infrastructure programs. “The signed agreements will enable British companies to achieve excellent results in the biggest football stage,” he concluded, referring to the infrastructure needed for the 2030 World Cup, which the Maghreb country is co-hosting with Spain and Portugal. UK Export Finance, Britain’s international economy agency, plans investments of around 6 billion euros in Morocco, including projects in Western Sahara, as a gateway to Africa, according to the joint British-Moroccan declaration cited by the official news agency MAP.