Staff Reporter
During his visit to Rabat to participate into the 5th session of the Morocco-UK Strategic Dialogue, the UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, David Lammy has emphasized, on the 1st June 2025, that his country considers Morocco’s 2007 autonomy plan to be the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for a lasting settlement of the Sahara dispute. London has committed to supporting this position at bilateral, regional, and international levels, as part of efforts to help resolve the conflict.
This position was also outlined in the joint communiqué signed in Rabat, on the same day, by the UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, David Lammy, and Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita.
Indeed, the communiqué highlighted the United Kingdom’s support for the positive momentum initiated under the leadership of King Mohammed VI. It also underscored London’s recognition of the importance of the Sahara issue for Morocco and stresses that a lasting solution would enhance stability in North Africa while giving fresh impetus to regional integration and bilateral cooperation.
In this context, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the UN-led political process and express full support for the efforts of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura. They stressed the importance of reaching a consensual political solution.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the United Kingdom pledged, at this occasion, to actively support this mediation and declares itself «ready, willing, and determined to assist in efforts towards a lasting resolution of the conflict, in the interests of all parties.
In this context, the joint communiqué also reiterated that the UK views Morocco as a key gateway for Africa’s socio-economic development and reaffirms its intention to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries across the continent.
Through its support to the Autonomy proposal, The United Kingdom also confirmed, through UK Export Finance, its readiness to provide financial support for economic projects in Morocco’s Saharan provinces. This financial support is part of a broader commitment to mobilize up to £5 billion in funding for new projects across the Kingdom.
This position expressed by the UK demonstrated clearly the growing international consensus in favour of Morocco’s autonomy plan, as a realistic and unifying solution. This stand of the UK comes at a time where major international and continental powers expressed their unwavering support to Morocco’s diplomatic standing concerning the Sahara issue.